Report on Somalia’s Participation in the COP16 International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation

Report on Somalia’s Participation in the COP16 International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation

A delegation from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Somalia successfully participated in the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) on the Biodiversity Convention, held in Cali, Colombia. This conference provided Somalia with a significant opportunity to showcase its commitment to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

Key Achievements from the Conference:

1. Strategic Partnerships Development: Productive discussions were held with various organizations, including the UNDP Global Biodiversity Team, African Protected Areas Directors (APAD), Global Biodiversity Acceleration Partnership, High Ambition Protected Areas (HAC), and the Rainforest Trust. These discussions paved the way for future projects focused on environmental restoration and conservation of Somalia’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
2. Advancement of National Initiatives: Valuable feedback was received on Somalia’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), which will align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This alignment ensures Somalia’s updated biodiversity strategy matches global standards.
3. Youth Empowerment: The Young African Fellows for Conservation, involved in Africa-wide conservation efforts, emphasized enhancing youth roles in Somali wildlife protection leadership. These outcomes strengthen youth leadership and establish a clear path for international collaboration and funding of sustainable projects.

Somalia achieved significant successes at the conference, reaffirming its dedication to environmental development and conservation.