From October 21 to November 1, 2024, the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) was held in Cali, Colombia, bringing together global leaders, scientists, policymakers, and advocates to address the urgent challenges facing biodiversity. COP16 included the Eleventh meeting of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Fifth meeting of the Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources. The conference was the first biodiversity-focused COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022, with member states expected to demonstrate alignment of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to this framework. This gathering also advanced essential measures on benefit-sharing from digital sequence information and strengthened the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in biodiversity conservation.
The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) actively participated in this historic event, hosting four key sessions, releasing critical publications, and contributing to various dialogues on Amazon conservation and sustainable development. With a mission to bridge science, policy, and local knowledge, the SPA amplified the voice of the Amazon and underscored the importance of innovative, science-based approaches for its protection. Here’s a closer look at SPA’s involvement.
Spotlight on SPA’s Events at COP16
I. Science, Technology, and Innovation for New Regenerative Socio-Bioeconomies in the Amazon
October 21, 2024 – Amazonia Forever Pavilion, Blue Zone
This session marked the launch of the SPA’s Policy Brief titled “A Network of Science, Technology, and Innovation Hubs to Catalyze Socio-Bioeconomies for the Amazon Region“ and an official SPA Statement on Amazonian Biodiversity. Carlos Nobre, SPA Co-Chair, emphasized the urgent need to transition to regenerative socio-bioeconomies in the Amazon. Marion Adeney, Co-Lead Author of the Science, Technology, and Innovation (ST&I) Policy Brief, highlighted the importance of innovation hubs in leveraging the region’s biological and cultural diversity to protect biodiversity, advance climate goals, and provide equitable benefits to Amazonian people.
James Albert, Co-Lead Author of the Biodiversity Statement, stressed the need for collaborative policies to safeguard the Amazon’s rich ecosystems, which contain over 10% of all named species globally and play a crucial role in global carbon and water regulation. He argued that realizing the Amazon’s potential requires integrating Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) with cutting-edge science and technology, supported by a strong framework for intercultural equity and benefit-sharing.
Moderated by Marielos Peña-Claros, the panel featured experts including Lauro Barata (Co-Lead Author of the Policy Brief), Juan Guayasamin (Co-Lead Author of the Biodiversity Statement), Kevin McCall (Senior Environmental Specialist at The World Bank), and Nicolás Castaño (Researcher at Instituto SINCHI). They discussed how socio-bioeconomic frameworks based on standing forests and flowing rivers can drive sustainable growth and resilience to climate change impacts. They recommended policies to deter illegal deforestation while incentivizing sustainable practices.
The panelists advocated for a collaborative, transboundary network of innovation hubs to mobilize resources, foster knowledge exchange, and enhance capacities. This network is critical for achieving breakthroughs in sustainable solutions and developing nature-inspired innovations. By recognizing the Amazon’s biodiversity potential and fostering collaboration, we can promote sustainable development that conserves nature and supports the livelihoods of Indigenous peoples and local communities.
II. Universities and Amazon Protection: Science, Knowledge, and Cooperation for a Sustainable Future
October 25, 2024 – La Casa Humboldt, Green Zone
This session, co-hosted with Instituto CAPAZ and the International Office of Sustainability, addressed the transformative role universities can play in conserving the Amazon amidst harmful extractivist policies. Gisele Didier, Director of Knowledge at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, delivered opening remarks that set the stage for a panel moderated by María Llinás Soto, Coordinator of the International Office of Sustainability.
Panelists included:
- Marielos Peña-Claros, SPA Co-Chair
- Gregorio Díaz Mirabal, COICA’s Coordinator of Climate Change and Biodiversity and SPA Strategic Committee member
- Carlos Larrea, Professor and Researcher at Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar and SPA Lead Author
- Stefan Peters, Director of Instituto CAPAZ and SPA Author
- Tatiana Roa Avendaño, Deputy Minister of Environmental Land Planning, Colombia’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development
The discussion emphasized that universities should promote development models rooted in sustainability and local knowledge, advocating for scientific approaches that respect ancestral knowledge systems. With a focus on education and scientific diplomacy, the event underscored international cooperation as an essential mechanism for influencing policy and fostering sustainable models to protect the Amazon.
III. Bridging Worlds: Promoting Knowledge Dialogues for Amazon Conservation and Sustainable Development
October 26, 2024 – Amazonia Forever Pavilion, Blue Zone
This event launched two seminal publications: the SPA Policy Brief “Protected Areas and Indigenous Territories: Pillars for Achieving Conservation Goals in the Amazon“ and the SDSN White Paper “Promoting Knowledge Dialogues in Amazonia: Learning from Best Practices and Experiences“. Marielos Peña-Claros, SPA Co-Chair, opened the event, followed by presentations from Carmen Josse, Lead Author of the Policy Brief, and André Junqueira, Lead Author of the SDSN White Paper. Their presentations emphasized the critical role of Protected Areas (PAs) and Indigenous Territories (ITs) in achieving conservation goals and fostering resilience through Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK).
Moderated by Emma Torres, SPA Strategic Coordinator, the session featured contributions from the Lead Authors, as well as from Gregorio Díaz Mirabal (COICA and SPA Strategic Committee), and Ana María Gonzalez Velosa, Coordinator of the Amazon Sustainable Landscapes Program at The World Bank. Carlos Nobre, SPA Co-Chair, concluded with reflections on the integration of ILK in conservation frameworks.
The discussions underscored that PAs and ITs together encompass about 50% of the Amazon, playing a vital role in biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation, as they hold 58% of the region’s aboveground carbon stock. The stewardship of Indigenous peoples was highlighted as crucial for maintaining ecological and cultural connectivity. Integrating Indigenous and local knowledge to enhance conservation and adaptation efforts was deemed essential, with recommendations to safeguard Indigenous rights, promote biocultural conservation, and ensure diverse representation in decision-making. The event concluded with a call for collaborative governance models that prioritize Indigenous rights and participation to achieve sustainable biodiversity outcomes.
IV. Scientific Cooperation for Tropical Forest Conservation and Sustainable Development: Amazon, Congo, and Borneo Science Panels
October 28, 2024 – GEF Partnership Pavilion, Blue Zone
This event, co-organized by the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), emphasized the importance of South-South scientific collaboration. Dr. Cristian Samper, Managing Director at the Bezos Earth Fund, moderated the session, which included initial insights from:
- Ms. Emma Torres, SDSN Vice President for the Americas and Head of the NY Office
- Dr. Claude Gascon, GEF Director of Strategy and Operations
- Dr. Garo J. Batmanian, Director General of the Brazil Forest Service
The Co-Chairs of the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), Congo Basin (SPCB), and Borneo (SPB) presented their efforts, achievements, and next steps, leading into a dynamic dialogue focused on scientific collaboration across the three forests to influence global discussions and the investment in scientific institutions and professionals for conservation and sustainable development. Key discussion points included impacts of climate and land use changes, nature-based solutions and the integration of Indigenous and Local Knowledge to scientific research.
Panelists:
- Dr. Carlos Nobre, SPA Co-Chair
- Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros, SPA Co-Chair
- Dr. Raphaël M. Tshimanga, SPCB Co-Chair
- Dr. Lydie-Stella Koutika, SPCB Co-Chair
- Dr. Bonaventure Sonké, SPCB Co-Chair
- Dr. Mazlin Bin Mokhtar, SPB Co-Chair
The closing remarks featured reflections from Dr. Erwin De Nys (World Bank), Aileen Lee (Moore Foundation), and Adriana Moreira (GEF), emphasizing the significance of cross-regional cooperation.
SPA’s Broader Engagement and High-Level Participation
The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) played a part at COP16, actively engaging in dialogues while promoting science-based solutions for Amazon conservation. SPA Co-Chairs Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros and Dr. Carlos Nobre participated in multiple significant events aimed at addressing urgent issues facing the Amazon, including events such as: “Regional Cooperation to Avoid the Amazon Tipping Point” organized by WWF and OTCA; “Meta-Amazon Knowledge Repository: connecting knowledges for a sustainable future of the Amazon” organized by Wyss Academy and WCS; “Challenges in Addressing Environmental Crimes and Protecting Biodiversity” organized by the UK Government’s TEFOS programme; and “Amazonia Under Pressure: Upholding Indigenous Rights to Prevent a Point of No Return” organized by STAND.earth.
Additionally, SPA members were part of other key spaces within COP16, including the presentation of the BioAmazonia Network, events from the Alianza NorAmazónica, as well as the event “Promoting Solutions Combining Science and Policy for Socio-Biodiversity,” organized by Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, with Minister Marina Silva in attendance.
In the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on Synergies Between Biodiversity and Climate Change, Dr. Carlos Nobre underscored the Amazon’s proximity to an ecological tipping point, warning that the rainforest has become a net carbon source due to ongoing deforestation and human-induced fires. He emphasized the urgent need for immediate and large-scale forest restoration, advocating for an Amazonian socio-bioeconomy that prioritizes standing forests and flowing rivers over extractive industries. Dr. Nobre also highlighted the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. During the session, Colombia’s Minister of Environment and COP16 President, Susana Muhamad, cited the SPA as a reference for actionable, science-based conservation strategies in the region.
Moreover, the Pan-Amazon Network for Bioeconomy was launched by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and Conservation International (CI), creating a coalition of over 20 organizations, including the SPA. This network aims to foster a sustainable and inclusive bioeconomy across the Amazon, supporting initiatives that protect biodiversity, combat deforestation, and create equitable economic opportunities for local communities.
SPA Internal Meetings and Bilaterals
During COP16, the SPA team engaged in several internal meetings to advance work on the upcoming Amazon Assessment Report 2025, which is scheduled for launch at COP30 in Belém. These discussions were crucial for aligning strategies and ensuring that the report reflects the latest scientific insights and recommendations for Amazon conservation.
The SPA also met with the Co-Chairs of the Science Panels for the Congo Basin and Borneo, enhancing collaboration and knowledge sharing among the panels to tackle shared challenges effectively.
Additionally, bilateral meetings were conducted with various allies and potential partners, including the Inter-American Network of Academies of Sciences (IANAS), and key stakeholders from the finance sector, such as the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), as well as Aliados de Impacto, Bancolombia, and the Institute of Finance and Sustainability (IFS). These discussions focused on strengthening alliances and exploring collaborative opportunities to promote sustainable development and conservation efforts within the Amazon.
Recognitions and New Appointments for SPA Members
Martin von Hildebrand, SPA member and celebrated conservationist, was appointed as the new Secretary General of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (OTCA). With a career spanning more than 50 years, Martin has championed Indigenous rights and environmental protection in Colombia, achieving monumental conservation milestones. His work has helped protect over 200,000 square kilometers of Amazon rainforest, while promoting policies that support the sustainable livelihoods of Indigenous and local communities. His appointment was widely acknowledged at COP16 as a critical step toward reinforcing cooperation among Amazonian nations. His leadership is anticipated to usher in a new era of synergy between OTCA and SPA, further aligning their missions for a sustainable, biodiverse Amazon.
Belén Páez, President of Fundación Pachamama and member of the SPA, received the Thomas E. Lovejoy Prize. This prestigious award, named in honor of the pioneering conservation biologist and member of the SPA Strategic Committee Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, acknowledges Belén’s decades of advocacy for Amazonian conservation and Indigenous rights. Her work has been instrumental in protecting the rights of Indigenous communities, fostering sustainable economic alternatives, and leading conservation initiatives that prioritize ecological and cultural resilience. This recognition serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication to the Amazon, as well as her commitment to continuing Dr. Lovejoy’s legacy of protecting the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems.
Through its pivotal events, collaborations, and the recognition of its leaders, the Science Panel for the Amazon reaffirmed its commitment to Amazon conservation and global biodiversity at COP16. The outcomes of this conference not only highlighted the urgency of protecting the Amazon but also emphasized its vital role in advancing sustainable solutions that integrate environmental conservation with the socioeconomic needs of local communities. As the SPA continues to foster innovative partnerships and promote science-based strategies, it stands poised to drive meaningful change in the fight against biodiversity loss, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for the Amazon and its inhabitants.