UN is set to host the 16th Conference of Parties on Biological Diversity (COP16) from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia, as the Caribbean prepares for Growing Conservation Challenges

​The preservation of biodiversity is crucial for maintaining life on Earth, impacting areas such as medicine production, food and water security, climate change adaptation, cultural values, and economic development. In response to these challenges, the United Nations is set to host the 16th Conference of Parties on Biological Diversity (COP16) from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.
 
COP16 will review the progress of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and evaluate how well National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) align with this framework. The conference will also work on developing monitoring systems and mobilizing resources to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts.
 
To ensure effective participation in COP16, a Regional Preparatory Workshop will be held in Miami from September 11-13. This workshop, organized by the Caribbean Hub of the Project for Capacity Building for Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Countries, will be implemented by the CARICOM Secretariat in partnership with the OECS Commission’s EU-funded BioSPACE Project and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund’s EMPAC Project. The goal of the workshop is to prepare Caribbean negotiators with the necessary tools & knowledge for the upcoming conference.