Colombia's youth and women set the course for CBD COP 16
Women leaders and young activists push for inclusive biodiversity conservation strategies ahead of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16). The International Climate Initiative (IKI) Interface project in Colombia is helping to raise their voices to shape a new era of environmental conservation.
IKI Interface project supports preparatory events
The IKI Interface project in Colombia supported the Colombian government with two key events in September 2024, setting the stage for CBD COP 16, which will be held in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November 2024. In Barranquilla, over 250 women leaders met at the "National Meeting of Women Caretakers of Territory and Life" in the beginning of September. Two weeks later, more than 80 young activists gathered for the event "Convergence of Children, Adolescents, and Youth for Biodiversity" in Bogotá. The events empowered women and youth to actively participate in the decision-making processes related to the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and their participation in COP 16.
In line with the IKI Gender Strategy, the IKI Interface project in Colombia supported these events, promoting the equal participation of all genders and age groups in decision-making and measures for biodiversity protection.
Women leaders contributing to biodiversity policy development
The first event, part of the Colombian #WomenInBiodiversity route, resulted in contributions to Colombia's NBSAP update by incorporating a gender approach aligned with the Target 23 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The event highlighted the crucial role of rural, indigenous, Afro-descendant, and peasant women in defending ecosystems and conserving biodiversity. Participants shared experiences, strengthened a national women's network for biodiversity and identified key issues for COP 16 dialogues.
Young people and children signed pact for biodiversity
At the second event, young participants gathered to discuss strategies and provide input for Colombia's NBSAP update and their involvement in COP 16. The meeting emphasized intergenerational environmental governance and the role of youth leadership in biodiversity conservation efforts. Mauricio Cabrera, Vice Minister of Environmental Policies and Standardization highlighted the importance of new generations: "We want to encourage and highlight the participation of new generations in caring for biodiversity and a sustainable future. The voices of children, youth, and adolescents are fundamental in this conversation." Participants identified barriers to conservation and stressed the need for youth-inclusive public policies in territorial planning.
Colombia's preparation for CBD COP 16
These events were part of Colombia's preparations to host the CBD COP 16 in Cali, where countries will meet to address global biodiversity loss. In this context, Colombia's updated NBSAP will be presented, which aims to achieve the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework goals by 2030.
Both events were supported by various Colombian ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Minambiente) and the Ministry of Equality and Equity (Minigualdad), in cooperation with several NGOs and international organizations, such as UN Women, and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the IKI Interface project.
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