High-Level Segment Reception: Accelerating Biodiversity Action

Katherine Madden, NBSAP AP, noted this reception concluded the High-Level Segments and introduced the first panel.

Jillian Campbell, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat, reflected on progress made at CBD COP 15 with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). She highlighted NBSAPs as the foundation for moving forward at the national level. She expressed optimism that 117 countries have already submitted national targets, and 39 have submitted updated NBSAPs. She underscored that one of the main challenges for Parties is means of implementation – particularly with respect to capacity and financial gaps.

Mauricio Cabrera Leal, Vice Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Colombia, urged global leaders to transform agreements into action, emphasizing the need for higher ambition and political will. He called for unlocking investments, mobilizing resources, and scaling up solutions. He highlighted the NBSAP AP’s MatchMaking Mechanism as a crucial tool for driving momentum and providing tailored approaches that align donor priorities with countries’ needs, while also addressing gaps in funding, capacity, and technical expertise. Cabrera hoped that countries’ efforts to protect biodiversity will flourish, just like the Inírida flower that is the symbol of COP 16.

Jan-Niclas Gesenhues, Parliamentary State Secretary, Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, Germany, announced that Germany is pledging €15 million to push the MatchMaking Mechanism forward. He said that, by the end of 2024, in-country facilitators will begin supporting 12 countries in their efforts to identify gaps in finance and expertise so that suitable, tailored solutions can be found. He thanked Colombia and COP 16 President María Susana Muhamad González for being the driving force behind the initiative’s success.

Madden gave an overview of the support provided by the NBSAP AP. She described the MatchMaking Mechanism as a dynamic platform that connects countries with resources and expertise. She encouraged Parties to reach out with any needs or questions.

Marcos Neto, Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau of Policy and Programme Support, moderated the second panel, inviting countries to share how they are helping to accelerate implementation of the GBF.

Ida Hellmark, Senior Advisor, Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), noted Norway committed CAN 2 million at COP15, and has since decided to triple this amount to CAN 6 million and to support this work with NOK 4 billion through 2035.

Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment and Climate Change, said it has committed USD 3 million to the NBSAP AP, supporting seven countries in developing gender-responsive NBSAPs. She also noted a previous commitment of CAN 200 million to the GBF Fund, underscoring the need for collaboration, combining donor support with local implementation capacity, and for inclusive and effective biodiversity protection.

Florika Fink-Hooijer, Director-General, DG Environment, European Commission (EC), described the Accelerator as a “fantastic tool,” and said the MatchMaking Mechanism is accelerating itself because the finance can be leveraged. She noted the EU’s €69 million capacity-building package, and work by the EU on knowledge and capacity building, including through regional centers of excellence and support for the Global Knowledge Support Service for Biodiversity.

Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Director of Biodiversity, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil, and former Executive Secretary, CBD, highlighted Brazil’s decades of experience in biodiversity policy. He said Brazil is eager to share their knowledge through the AP by making their expertise accessible, including through building capacity for regional collaboration.

Ning Liu, Director General Level, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China, noted its previous launch of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund through which China contributes approximately USD 15 million annually. He also said China would be announcing a new Committee on Forestry initiative and emphasized the importance of synergy among the different funds for achieving the GBF.

Madden thanked the panelists for the updates and noted the sense of urgency shared by everyone. She said the MatchMaking Mechanism, developed by UNDP and others, will streamline access to necessary support and celebrated the continued acceleration and collaboration for biodiversity.

Organizers: Government of Colombia, Government of Germany, NBSAP AP 

Contacts: Melissa Laverde, NBSAP AP melissa.laverderamirez@un.org; Katherine Madden, NBSAP AP  katherine.madden@un.org; Diego Ochoa, NBSAP AP diego.ochoa@nbsapaccelerator.org 

For more information: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024/cop-16-hls