Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) advanced a global plan to bend the curve on biodiversity loss, expected to be adopted in Montreal. Delegates took the text from the March 2022 meetings held in Geneva, rationalised parts of it, achieved consensus on several targets, and proposed diverse options for large parts of the framework. Parties set out their ambitions with respect to the goals of the framework, and refined the essential targets related to conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing. They worked to develop a plan for resource mobilisation and other means of implementation and highlighted the contribution of nature to climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Parties also charted the pathway for an agreement on the sharing of benefits from Digital Sequencing Information on genetic resources. Their discussions also strengthened the role of Indigenous peoples, local communities, women, youth, and other stakeholders and to ensure that all voices will be heard, and no one will be left behind.

The important four goals of the framework – A through D – which were subject of intense discussion, are:

• Goal A - protecting biodiversity at all levels and preventing extinctions
• Goal B - ensuring that biodiversity can meet people’s needs and support their human rights
• Goal C - benefits from the use of biodiversity and genetic resources are shared with equity and the traditional knowledge and rights of Indigenous and Local Communities are respected.
• Goal D - adequate level of the means of implementation are enabled, including financial resources, capacity building and other supports to action.

A path for work towards the second part of CBD COP15 in December 2022 was secured. Notwithstanding the important advances, a considerable amount of work will be required to advance the text for final high-level consideration by CBD’s 196 Parties at COP15. The Meeting agreed to develop a path forward that includes the engagement of all regions preparing for talks involving all Parties immediately before COP15. These gatherings would prepare a text for final negotiation by Ministers and their delegations at COP15.

At the end of the meeting the co-chairs submitted recommendations on draft elements of a possible decision operationalising the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The recommendations still contain a number of open issues and alternative provisions which require settlement before adoption of the instrument.

Another document submitted by the co-chairs at the end of the meeting is a recommendation on the Global Biodiversity Framework which includes: relationship to the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, the theory of change, 2050 vision and goals, 2030 mission and action targets, implementation actions and support, among other points.

Concerning the digital sequence information on genetic resources, the co-chairs submitted a draft recommendation which, in an Annex, presents elements for the decision and proposals for multilateral and hybrid approaches for benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. The draft recommendations still contain a considerable number of issues to be further discussed on the way to CBD COP15.

More information

• Convention on Biological Diversity Press Release
• OEWG meeting documents
• Statement of the EU and its Member States
• Recommendations on draft elements
• Recommendation on the Global Biodiversity Framework
• Draft recommendation on digital sequence information
• IISD Summary