Highlights and images for 31 October 2024

One day before the conclusion of the meeting, most delegates had more questions than answers. What is the fate of the multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism from the use of digital sequence information (DSI)? What are the chances for a new, dedicated, global biodiversity fund? Will the Global Environment Facility ever adapt its processes and institutional set-up to the pressing demands of developing countries? Will a subsidiary body on Article 8(j) be established to promote the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and integrate their traditional knowledge in the processes and implementation of the Convention?

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

Many wondered about the decision-making process. While Working Group II slowly considered draft decisions throughout the day, and two contact groups made substantial progress on the revised resource mobilization strategy and the financial mechanism, the Colombian Presidency held bilateral consultations with regions’ representatives on the most pressing items: resource mobilization and DSI. Α closed meeting with Heads of delegations is scheduled for Friday morning.  

In the meantime, Working Group II addressed several draft decisions on marine and coastal biodiversity, diverse values of biodiversity, climate change, and scientific and technical needs to support implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). A late evening session of Working Group I continued into the night to address another long list of draft decisions, including on Article 8(j), cooperation with other conventions and processes, capacity building, and monitoring and review. 

An evening plenary addressed organizational matters and held a vote on the venue of the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17), to be held in 2026. With 65 votes, Armenia was elected host of COP 17, with Azerbaijan receiving 58 votes. Armenia expressed their appreciation to parties and aspiration to “transfer the spirit of Cali to Yerevan.”