Highlights and images for 24 May 2024

Mainstreaming and effectiveness were the buzz words in Friday’s morning plenary during deliberations at the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 4). Mainstreaming biodiversity across all sectors and government levels has been identified as a key concern for the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) since its 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13), held in 2016. Delegates focused on developing and agreeing on a long-term strategic approach to mainstreaming.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

The review of the effectiveness of the processes under the CBD and its Protocols also attracted considerable attention, with delegates exchanging ideas on addressing existing challenges, including those related to the increasing workload of the CBD.

Delegates agreed on the importance of biodiversity mainstreaming and exchanged views on whether the long-term strategic approach is already addressed within the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Some urged for a dedicated workstream on mainstreaming under the CBD until 2030 and a group of countries called for a “coalition of the willing” to advance relevant considerations. Others highlighted the need to ensure the necessary means of implementation, further suggesting focused capacity-building activities.

On effectiveness, many delegates welcomed the proposed procedures for avoiding or managing conflicts of interest. They further focused on procedures for convening virtual and hybrid meetings, with many urging their use only in extraordinary circumstances. On the effectiveness of the processes under the CBD and its protocols, delegates underscored the need for: timely delivery of meeting documents; financial resources for an adequate number of representatives from developing country parties to ensure their effective participation; and other modalities to improve the day-to-day management of CBD meetings, with several appeals heard to consider the health and well-being of negotiators in light of the Convention’s increased workload.

In-depth negotiations took place in contact groups in the afternoon and evening on: resource mobilization; capacity building and development; and mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting, and review. The contact groups addressed non-papers, making slow but steady progress on the items under their purview. Delegates worked late into the night to discuss controversial issues, in particular on resource mobilization. They will continue their deliberations on Sunday, following a well-deserved day off.