25
Nov
2024
Watch
Outcome of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 in Cali, Colombia (COP16) (debate)
Madam President, I would like to thank you for your Some progress was made during the COP16 meeting in Cali. The single most important thing – for me anyway – was the clear recognition of the key role of indigenous peoples in these processes. But these little steps aren't enough. We need to take big steps forward now. For example, we know that legally binding targets and agreements are required to really hold countries to account. And when it comes to money: At the last COP meeting, two years earlier, we agreed to spend $200 billion every year to protect nature. Only half of that money is on the table this year. Biodiversity is indeed the basis of the climate, of food supply and indeed of life on this planet. Now that we failed to reach an agreement and deliver at the COP meeting, it is even more important that we here in the EU take clear leadership and do everything in our power to protect nature.