Genetic data
A second area of controversy concerns the use of genetic data obtained from nature.
Digital sequence information (DSI) are often used by manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and agricultural products, which are mostly freely accessible from public databases. Nations agreed at the recent COP15 summit to create a multilateral fund to “share the benefits” of its use.
However, the details of how companies and other entities pay into the fund and how the money is distributed are now matters of contentious debate involving complex cross-country alliances. Meanwhile, big pharmaceutical and agribusiness companies are among the industry groups lobbying against the proposals, particularly the tax on manufactured goods.
30 X 30 targets on land and water
A third major area of debate is how GBF ’30 x 30‘ region-based goals are met and who benefits. Goal 2 aims to restore land, waters and seas with a target of 30% by 2030 and Goal 3 to maintain. They need to be implemented at the national level and affect billions of people.
Questions address criteria and measures to clarify how different types of areas (including strictly protected areas, “other effective area-based conservation measures”) can contribute.OECMs)land earmarked for redevelopment, indigenous territories, governance and social implications.
While other GBF goals protect local livelihoods and the rights of indigenous and local communities, the extent to which they are integrated into the implementation of the 30 x 30 goals remains matters of debate. Again, questions of fairness and justice are important.
Indigenous peoples and local residents
At the same time, important negotiations on proposals for strengthening are being conducted.Article 8J‘ – the main mechanism for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the CBD – by transforming it from an ad hoc task force to a formal subsidiary body – is moving slowly amid struggles over definitions of group identities, including how to recognize Colombians. Populations identifying as “Afro-descendants”.
For all their importance, events in the official negotiating chambers are a relatively invisible part of this COP. It’s the biggest ever, with around 26,000 people taking part in unprecedented side events, meetings and networking in the sprawling Blue Zone.
More and a wider mix than Montreal
The usual array of government, NGO and academic participants will share pavilions, stands and walks with many indigenous peoples and their organizations and more than 3,000 business entities from Colombia, the wider Latin American region and beyond. triple the number in Montreal two years ago.
This reflects two priorities in the mass of mixed-use activities: ‘nature positive’ business, financial and corporate investment, and locally driven, community and indigenous perspectives, rights and demands. They sometimes seem separated by irreconcilable worldviews and languages, but finding ways to connect them and establish a just dialogue is surely essential in the common effort to create a prosperous future for all life.
Festival atmosphere
In addition, in the heart of the city squares and river park there is another world: a festival atmosphere, a green zone with local music and crafts, parades and stalls sharing all nature news, art and evidence.
Here Kali’s women, men and children mingle with international visitors and feel like a great gathering of joy and hope.
Colombia, a country rich in both cultural diversity and biodiversity, recognizes the deep interconnections in the theme of Peace with Nature for this CSO, which is actively celebrated on the Day of Nature and Culture, but permeates the entire gathering. Nowhere is this more evident than in the world of the Green Zone, and a walk there is inspiring.