Blog by Liliana Mosca, SI Representative at the FAO, Rome.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), organised the resumed session of the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) from 25 to 27 February 2025, to address pending decisions from the COP16 meeting held in Cali, Colombia, in October–November 2024.
Main discussions centred on gathering resources for biodiversity, finalising methods to monitor progress of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), and strengthening cooperation with international organisations. The KMGBF, adopted in 2022, is a landmark global agreement setting out targets and actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
On the eve of the conference, FAO held a high-level meeting at its headquarters, emphasising that agri-food systems must align with biodiversity to secure a sustainable future for both people and planet.
“The initiative provides us with a collective mechanism to help governments build capacity, identify and implement strategic levers in the agri-food sectors to achieve their national biodiversity targets,” explained FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, opening the event.
COP16 concluded in overtime on the evening of Thursday 27 February. Governments ultimately reached an agreement on a plan to gather the necessary financial resources needed for biodiversity conservation. The pact signed in Rome confirms the establishment of international funding that is set to grow from the anticipated $20 billion annually. The administration of these resources has proven to be the most intricate challenge to untangle. Wealthy nations have advocated for the fund to function under the oversight of the World Bank. Conversely, developing and transitional economies have called for the establishment of a self-sufficient ad hoc system.
The advancement occurred due to a proposal made by Brazil representing the BRICS. COP16 ensured full oversight of the new fund’s governance, but the final decision on its progress is deferred to future COPs.
An essential element of the new approach will be the active participation of non-governmental entities, including Indigenous groups, civil society, and the private sector, who will be invited to communicate their role in the transition towards a more sustainable economy.
The success of the Rome Agreement is a decisive step in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, but the road to 2030 remains full of challenges. According to the Convention press release, COP17 will determine whether the new financing system can close the economic divide that continues to obstruct efforts against the biodiversity crisis.