Key Outcomes from COP 16

(i) Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) Gaining a Stronger Voice

A historic decision was made to establish a permanent subsidiary body under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This body will formally recognize and include IPLCs in biodiversity-related decision-making processes, ensuring their knowledge and contributions are acknowledged and respected. This is a major win for inclusive conservation, reinforcing the need for bottom-up approaches where local communities lead biodiversity protection efforts.

(ii)  The Cali Fund for Digital Sequence Information (DSI)

A major financial milestone at COP 16 was the agreement on a new financial instrument—the Cali Fund for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from Digital Sequence Information. This fund will ensure that profits derived from genetic data collected from nature are equitably shared. Companies benefiting from this data will be required to contribute 1% of their profits to the fund, supporting biodiversity conservation initiatives. This development is crucial for promoting fairness and equity in using genetic resources.

(iii) Closing the Biodiversity Finance Gap

Addressing the persistent challenge of financing biodiversity conservation, parties at COP 16 agreed on a roadmap to mobilize at least $200 billion annually by 2030. This includes increasing international biodiversity funding to $20 billion by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030. This commitment signals a shift toward securing more sustainable funding mechanisms for biodiversity efforts worldwide.

(iv) Finalizing the GBF Monitoring Framework

After two years of work, the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal GBF was finalized. This framework establishes a standardized approach for measuring and reporting progress on biodiversity commitments at the national level. It will help countries track their progress and align with global targets, ensuring accountability in conservation efforts.

(v) Strengthening the Financial Mechanism

COP 16 also reached an agreement on enhancing the effectiveness of the CBD’s financial mechanism, particularly in relation to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF). Efforts will be made to address the underutilization of existing funds and streamline access to financial resources for biodiversity projects

What’s Next for WWF Tanzania?

WWF Tanzania remains committed to supporting the government in implementing the GBF, ensuring that biodiversity conservation remains a national priority. Through the VfD project, we will continue working with Local communities, Youth and Civil Society Organizations to amplify their voices in national and global advocacy efforts. Our current priorities include:

• Finalizing the NBSAP Monitoring Framework and Financial Mechanism: WWF Tanzania is actively collaborating with the government to complete the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) framework, aligning it with the upcoming global stocktake in 2026.

• Pushing for Ambitious Implementation of the GBF: We advocate for the NBSAP to be seen as a minimum baseline (‘floor’) rather than a maximum limit (‘ceiling’) in biodiversity efforts, identifying areas where further ambition is needed.

• Promoting a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approach: Ensuring that biodiversity conservation is integrated across different government sectors and engages all stakeholders in implementation.

• Strengthening National Systems for Monitoring and Reporting: Aligning national conservation reporting mechanisms with COP 15 and COP 16 decisions to improve transparency and effectiveness.

As we move forward, the success of the Kunming-Montreal GBF depends on collaborative efforts at all levels. By strengthening advocacy, mobilizing resources, and ensuring the meaningful inclusion of IPLCs, we can drive impactful conservation actions for a sustainable future. WWF Tanzania, through projects such as the Voices for Diversity project, will continue championing inclusive conservation, ensuring that local communities play a leading role in shaping the future of biodiversity conservation.