The UN Biodiversity Conference FSC/Sebastian Castañeda FSC at COP-16 In October 2024, governments from around the world will gather in Cali, Colombia, for the United Nations Biodiversity Conference of Parties 16 (COP16). The key focus will be discussions and negotiations around putting the Kunming-Montreal Agreement (COP15) into action through National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs). The three main areas of focus will be: Implementing the Global Biodiversity Plan: Governments will need to develop and align their NBSAPs with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Enhancing Monitoring and Funding: COP-16 will work on improving the monitoring system and increasing financial support to achieve the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Finalizing Benefit-Sharing Mechanisms: A key task will be to finalize and implement a system for the fair sharing of benefits, especially with indigenous communities from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. FSC/ Sebastian Castañeda OUR MISSION AT COP-16 At the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), we believe forest stewardship offers the best path forward to addressing pressing global challenges, such as biodiversity loss (SDG 15). FSC is dedicated to ensuring that forests are managed and valued as vibrant ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, and resilient in the face of climate change. Responsible forest stewardship through active forest management is, therefore, essential to enabling forest biodiversity goals that countries establish in NBSAPs. FSC Certification is our core solution - with 30 years of implementation and continuous development. COP16 represents an opportunity to demonstrate to relevant stakeholders, particularly governments, how FSC certification can support their goals and how they can also contribute to scaling up the uptake of FSC certification in their countries through different policies, strategies and initiatives. Learn more why forests matter for biodiversity. → FSC SOLUTIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY FSC Forest Management Certification FSC certification is our core solution and already widely available to support management and monitoring of forests. Indeed, the area of FSC certified forest is already classified as a component indicator - “Area of forest under sustainable management: total forest management certification by the Forest Stewardship Council...” to measure progress towards Target 10.2 of the KMGBF- sustainable forest management. As we make changes to the FSC certification system over the coming years, we believe the data that becomes available from our system will also be even more relevant and useful to report back on other targets - in particular Target 2 (Restoration), Target 3 (Protected/ Conservation Areas), Target 9 (Sustainable use of wild species) and Target 15 (Biodiversity Disclosures by business). Discover how FSC certification promotes sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation. FSC Verified Impact This pioneering solution empowers Forest Stewards to communicate how they are making a measurable difference in the fight against some of the biggest challenges of our time, including climate change and biodiversity loss. This unique tool is also classified in the KMGBF Monitoring Framework - this time as a complementary indicator associated with Goal B.1 - Services provided by ecosystems: “Number of certified forest areas under sustainable management with verified impacts on biodiversity conservation.” Learn about FSC’s innovative tool that allows companies to measure and report on their positive impact on biodiversity. Find FSC at these side events From 21 October to 1 November, an FSC delegation will attend the COP-16 and be leading or presenting at the following events: 21 October | 8:00-10:00 | Green Zone Zero deforestation agreements – early adopter EUDR and Community and Family Forests FSC presenters: Regina Massai (FSC Chile) and Daniel Bedoya (FSC Colombia). Host: Colombia government 22 October | 15:00-16:20 | Blue Zone Leveraging ecolabels, sustainable public procurement and sustainable taxonomy for biodiversity protection FSC presenter: Matteo Mascolo (FSC International). Host: Brazil government and UNEP Room: Academia & Research - Plaza One 23 October | 16:00-17:15 | Blue Zone World Bank event on EUDR FSC presenters: Matteo Mascolo (FSC International) MDB Pavillion 24 October | TBD | Blue Zone Exchange hub on trade and biodiversity FSC presenter: Joanna Nowakowska (FSC International) Host: UNCTAD, UNEP & WTO 24 October | 14:30-16:00 | Blue Zone Equity in Action: Nature-Based Financial Pathways to Protect Forests and Biodiversity Host: FSC International IUCN Pavilion 24 October | 16:30-18:00 | Blue Zone 7 ways to driving the change with nature friendly consumption FSC presenter: José Balta (FSC International) Host: adelphi | BIOTRAILS, CI, UNCTAD, CI-SCP/OnePlanet network Place Quebec, Multistakeholder Auditorium 25 October | 18:30-19:30 | Museo La Tertulia 7th GLF Investment Case Symposium Priorities and solutions for a global Biodiversity Finance Roadmap FSC presenter: Subhra Bhattacharjee (FSC International) Host: Global Landscapes Forum 26 October | 10:10-10:50 | Museo La Tertulia World Biodiversity Summit Forest Management 2.0: Innovations and Applications FSC presenter: Anand Punja (FSC International) 26 October | TBC | Blue Zone UNCTAD FSC presenter: Daniel Kobei, Director of Ogiek Peoples Development Program (on behalf of FSC Int.) 28 October | 19:30-22:30 | Hotel Intercontinental (Invitation only) Driving positive biodiversity outcomes through FSC certification Presenters: Joeri Zwerts (Utrecht University), Madame Prudence Galega (CBD Negotiator), Anand Punja (Moderator). Host: FSC International FSC / Jonathan Perugia MEET THE FSC DELEGATION The FSC delegation is in Cali for COP-16, and we welcome the opportunity to meet with you if you are attending. Please reach out to Sharon London (s.london@fsc.org), and she will connect you with the right person. Subhra Bhattacharjee, Director General Anand Punja, Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer (Head of Delegation) Bruno Rath, Latin America Regional Director Cesar Galarza, Regional Climate and Ecosystems Services Lead (Latin America) Daniel Bedoya, National Representative Colombia Elson Fernandes, Executive Director FSC Brasil Franck Trolliet, Programme Manager Monitoring & Evaluation Harrison Kojwang , Senior Affairs & Engagement Advisor (Africa & Global Institutions) Joanna Nowakowska, System Performance Director Jose Balta, Communications Programme Manager Matteo Mascolo, EU Affairs & Engagement Lead Regina Massai, Executive Director FSC Chile Sharon London, Climate Partnerships Director, FSC I&P The FSC Indigenous Foundation also has a delegation. Emilio White MEDIA REQUESTS Our delegation speakers are available for exclusive interviews. To request an interview with any of the following speakers, please contact media@fsc.org and Jose Balta j.balta@fsc.org. Anand Punja, Chief Engagement and Partnerships Officer Bruno Rath, Latin America Regional Director Cesar Galarza, Regional Climate and Ecosystems Services Lead (Latin America) Frank Troillet, Programme Manager Monitoring & Evaluation Harrison Kojwang , Senior Affairs & Engagement Advisor (Africa & Global Institutions) Joanna Nowakowska, System Performance Director Matteo Mascolo, EU Affairs & Engagement Lead Download the Media Kit → How FSC drives positive outcomes for biodiversity FSC / Emilio White In Eastern Uganda, foresters are restoring degraded native forests Read more... → Maderacre: Protecting Biodiversity in the Heart of the Amazon Read more... → Joeri Zwerts / Utrecht University Groundbreaking study confirms FSC standards are vital for thriving wildlife in tropical forests Read more... → Enabling the Global Biodiversity Framework through FSC solutions FSC offers practical solutions to address the biodiversity crisis FSC Biodiversity Factsheet Download →