NYBG at COP16

These meetings have been centered on the Convention for Biological Diversity, a 1992 international agreement on how nations should use and protect the world’s natural resources. This year, the focus is on updating and implementing a new Global Biodiversity Framework, which outlines targets for nature, and will guide countries through the next decade—toward a future that prioritizes protecting biodiversity. This goal also continues the 30×30 global conservation initiative aimed at protecting 30% of terrestrial, inland water, and marine areas by 2030.

This historic Framework supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals, a list of 17 objectives adopted as a blueprint for “peace and prosperity for people and planet.” The GBF also outlines 23 targets for 2030, and 4 goals for 2050, in an effort to live harmoniously with nature.

The four goals of the Biodiversity Plan are:

1. Protect and Restore: By 2050, ecosystems will be maintained, enhanced, or restored, the extinction rate has been reduced tenfold, and we have an abundance of native wild species on healthy and resilient levels.

2. Prosper with Nature: By 2050, biodiversity will be sustainably used and its contributions to people maintained, enhanced, or restored.

3. Share Benefits Fairly: By 2050, all benefits from genetic resources will be fairly, inclusively, and equally shared and sustainably increased.

4. Invest and Collaborate: By 2050, the funding gap is closed. Implementation will be supposed by capacity-buiding and strong technical and scientific cooperation.

During COP15, a plan for implementation and monitoring the GBF was outlined, including national targets for all member countries. At COP16, the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of GBF, Parties will assess progress and submit updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). Therefore, COP16 is known as ‘the first implementation COP.’

The phrase “The Biodiversity Plan: For Life on Earth” is part of the COP’s communications strategy to support the implementation of the GBF, as a clear, easily understandable, public-facing name for the Framework.

Panelists:

Megan Barstow
Conservation Officer, Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Elena Fernández
Environment and Climate Change Coordinator, GIZ Colombia

Mauricio Díazgranados
Chief Science Officer, New York Botanical Garden

María Claudia García
Bogotá Botanical Garden

Moderator: Natalia Arango
Fondo Acción

Welcome Remarks: Jennifer Bernstein, NYBG CEO & The William C. Steere Sr. President

Introduction: Mauricio Diazgranados, NYBG Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

Moderation: Eric Sanderson, NYBG Vice President for Urban Conservation

Panelists:
Aleca Borsuk, NYBG Science Curator, Ecophysiology, Plant structure and function

Evelyn Beaury, NYBG Science Curator, Invasive Species, Global Change

William Vargas, Agronomist, Botanist, expert on Ecological Restoration

Live Translation: Laura Marina Boria

Tuesday, October 22

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Host: Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)

Location: CAF Pavilion: Latin America and the Caribbean, Blue Zone, Valle del Pacífico Centro de Eventos, Calle15 #26-120 Autopista Cali – Yumbo, Yumbo, Valle del Cauca 760501

Topic: Strategic Paramo Ecosystems and High Mountain Ecosystems in Latin America

Presenter: Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

Wednesday, October 23

4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Host: Food and Land Use Coalition (FOLU)

Location: Comfandi Cultural Center Nelson Garces, Calle 8 N 6-23 Cali, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

Topic: The Potential of Biodiversity for Food Systems: The Plants That Nurture

Presenter: Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

Friday, October 25

6:00 p.m.

Topic: Academic Event at Chamber of Commerce of Pasto

Presenters: Jennifer Bernstein, CEO & The William C. Steere Sr. President; Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

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Sunday, October 27

8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Host: Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF)

Location: Green Zone, Bulevar del Río in downtown Cali

Topic: How to Finance Greener, Fairer and More Sustainable Cities Prosperous for Latin America and the Caribbean?

Keynote Speaker: Eric Sanderson, Vice President for Urban Conservation

3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Host: Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR)

Location: Blue Zone, Valle del Pacífico Centro de Eventos, Calle15 #26-120 Autopista Cali – Yumbo, Yumbo, Valle del Cauca 760501

Topic: Biodiversity, a Political, Economic and Social Commitment

Presenter: Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

Monday, October 28

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Host: NYBG
Location: Jardín Botánico de Cali, Carrera 2 Oeste No. 21 – 121

Topic: Nurturing Nature Through Plant-based Solutions for Long-Term Climate Resilience | Climate Resilience Advisory Group Meeting

Moderator: Eric Sanderson, Vice President for Urban Conservation; Panelists: Aleca Borsuk, Assistant Curator, Evelyn Beaury, Assistant Curator

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6:30 p.m.

Host: NYBG Dinner by Invitation Only

Topic: Celebrate the Diversity of Colombia’s Food System

Tuesday, October 29

9:30 to 11:00 a.m.

Location: CGIAR Pavilion, Blue Zone

Topic: Periodic Table of Food Initiative: Mapping Food Quality of the Planet’s Edible Biodiversity for Human and Planetary Health

Presenter: Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

12:00–1:00 p.m.

Host: Regional Autonomous Corporation of Cundinamarca (CAR)

Location: Jardín Botánico de Cali, Carrera 2 Oeste No. 21 – 121

Topic: Discussion Panel on The Establishment of Three New Botanical Gardens

Panelist: Mauricio Diazgranados,
Chief Science Officer and Dean of Science

Conserving and restoring ecosystems is a delicate process. Ensuring the right species are being used is crucial and that hinges on understanding plant taxonomy. It is also imperative that these efforts are sustainable for the long term- by training and investing in local communities to ensure conservation and restoration efforts continue and by creating a network of experts that can apply local learnings to future projects.

This is where Botanic Gardens and NYBG have a unique and important role to play. Botanic Gardens are living institutions that hold a comprehensive history of plants and biodiversity through their collections, including herbaria, libraries, and their living collections. They are also home to scientists whose research continually advances the understanding of the plant world.

Botanic Gardens have the knowledge of how ecosystems and plants have changed over time, how species are related through genetics and taxonomy, and how to utilize DNA for more resilient plants– all of which can help conserve and restore ecosystems by making sure the right plant is in the right place.

Botanic Gardens are public institutions and have the ability to make lasting impacts in their local communities. They spark the joy of nature in visitors, educate the public, and are catalysts for the community to care for the local environment.