The COP16 conference in Cali, Colombia, concluded on November 2, 2024, amid significant security concerns due to threats from the EMC guerilla group. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres had previously addressed delegates via video, emphasizing the summit's critical role in addressing global biodiversity loss. Colombian President Gustavo Petro highlighted ongoing security challenges, which were a backdrop to the discussions involving approximately 12,000 delegates from nearly 200 countries, including 140 ministers and a dozen heads of state.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the summit achieved a notable agreement concerning genetic data payments from pharmaceutical and agritech companies. This deal aims to ensure that these industries contribute to biodiversity protection efforts. However, the conference ultimately failed to reach a broader financial agreement to support nature protection initiatives, a significant shortcoming that has drawn criticism from various environmental advocates. The event was described as the largest nature protection conference to date, running into overtime as discussions continued.
Cali's mayor, Alejandro Eder, had assured attendees that extensive security measures were in place to protect them during the summit. Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall also attended, stressing the urgent need for action to save the planet, as over a million species are currently threatened with extinction according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The conference's goals included fostering international cooperation to protect biodiversity and implement strategies to combat the ongoing crisis of species loss.
The intersection of environmental issues and security challenges was evident throughout the summit, as nations sought to address the urgent need for biodiversity conservation while ensuring the safety of those advocating for it. The outcomes of COP16 will likely influence future discussions and actions related to global biodiversity and environmental protection efforts.