Working Group II Considers Conference Room Papers|2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference·Day4

 Following Sunday’s ceremony, opening and regional statements marked the beginning of the official proceedings of the UN Biodiversity Conference, including the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the 11th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP MOP 11), and the fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (NP MOP 5) on access and benefit-sharing (ABS). Two Working Groups met in the afternoon, to review draft decisions, and establish multiple contact and informal groups. Four contact groups met in the evening to address draft decisions on: Article 8(j) and related provisions on Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and traditional knowledge; digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources; biodiversity and health; and biodiversity mainstreaming.

 

The delegation from the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) has arrived in Colombia to attend the meeting on November 25.

 

On the introduction to the annexed draft action plan, delegates deleted a paragraph on the theory of change, as suggested by Brazil and Argentina. On guiding principles, they agreed to reformulate language in consistency with the Nagoya Protocol (NP), to state that “rights of IPLCs should be respected and protected when conducting capacity-building initiatives.”

 

Delegates then discussed the enclosure listing outputs and capacity-building activities under thematic key areas. On activities regarding monitoring access and benefit-sharing agreements, delegates debated whether to refer to monitoring “tools” or “mechanisms,” eventually retaining both references.

 

On activities relevant to identifying research opportunities, capacities, and needs, BRAZIL noted the importance of ensuring development of value chains to trigger innovation in various sectors. Delegates agreed to an EU proposal to support genetic resource assessments “to identify existing and potential non-commercial and commercial value with a view to developing their value chains.”

 

On an activity regarding development of commercial products arising from genetic resource utilization, contention arose regarding guidance on bioeconomy approaches. BOLIVIA noted that the definition of bioeconomy remains vague, preferring reference to sustainable approaches. BRAZIL and the EU preferred reference to bioeconomy approaches. Delegates agreed to refer to sustainable bioeconomy and other sustainable approaches.

 

Editor: Maggie

Checked by: Richard      

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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