UN Biodiversity Conference reopens in Rome

By Ilayda Cakirtekin

ISTANBUL (AA) – The UN Biodiversity Conference began in Rome, Italy on Tuesday, catching up with discussions in Colombia in late 2024 on financing nature protection.

Held by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 16th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) is expected to host guests from 150 countries through Thursday. The conference aims to transform agrifood systems and support global biodiversity goals.

Discussions will focus on finalizing financial mechanisms to secure the estimated $200 billion annually required for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’s implementation and enhancing monitoring frameworks to track progress.

“We need an integrated approach across government sectors, across Ministries, to ensure the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind,” FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu said, adding that this is “the common philosophy needed to produce staple, nutritious, healthy and functional foods – the four levels of foods.”

The resumed session follows the first session held between Oct. 21 and Nov. 2 in Cali, Colombia, which was suspended for lack of a quorum.

During the first session, the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative was launched to help governments incorporate agrifoodsystems into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).​​​​​​​