Leaders call for financial contributions to protect nature

(CLO) The 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Colombia brought together nearly 200 countries, with the main goal of finding urgent solutions to protect the natural environment.

Leaders have stressed the need to raise billions of dollars to stem the rapid destruction of nature. Formal talks began on Monday.

“Our planet is running out of time,” COP16 President Susana Muhamad warned, stressing that a lack of financial resources is a major obstacle in the fight to protect the environment.

Delegates attend the opening session of the 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (COP16), in Yumbo, Colombia on October 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters

Two years ago, countries adopted the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, which sets 23 targets by 2030. At COP16, the task is to find ways to implement the agreement, including mobilizing $200 billion a year for conservation.

But at the opening ceremony of COP16, many speakers expressed concern that the fund had only raised millions of dollars, rather than the expected billions.

In a video message on Sunday night, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticized delegates, stressing that the world was off track to meet the 2030 goals. He called for significant new investments in the framework fund.

Brazil's top negotiator, Andre Correa do Lago, has expressed deep concern about the lack of funding for the fund, which he said could hinder the achievement of the goals set out in the framework.

Biodiversity loss is a pressing issue worldwide. Photo: Reuters

According to the latest data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), developed countries have pledged to significantly increase funding for developing countries within the framework of biodiversity protection, from 15.4 billion USD in 2022 to 20 billion USD annually starting from 2025.

Correa do Lago stressed that the financing gap needs to be filled without increasing the debt burden on developing countries.

Muhamad made it clear that for COP16 to be considered a success, a series of agenda items need to be completed. These include assessing countries' biodiversity commitments, increasing the participation of indigenous peoples in conservation decisions... and especially the issue of financial mobilization.

Ha Trang (according to Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hoi-nghi-da-dang-sinh-hoc-cop16-keu-goi-dong-gop-tai-chinh-de-bao-ve-thien-nhien-post318027.html