The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention is attending the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-16), held from 21 October to 1 November in Cali, Colombia.

Under the theme "Peace With Nature", COP-16 focuses on assessing progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Minamata Convention on Mercury (COP-5) last year acknowledged mercury pollution as a direct driver of global biodiversity loss and recognized the opportunities for the implementation of both the Minamata Convention and the GBF in a mutually supportive way. The GBF includes 23 action targets for 2030 towards four long-term goals for 2050 to halt and reverse the dangerous, ongoing loss of biodiversity.
Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention Monika Stankiewicz , who will participate in the high-level segment, stated: "At COP-5 our Parties have taken a significant step towards mainstreaming pollution and biodiversity by adopting a decision on mercury and the Global Biodiversity Framework. By aligning the Minamata Convention with other chemical conventions and the GBF, we are united in our efforts to protect people and nature. Together, we can achieve our common goal of a healthier planet for everyone".
Among the planned activities:
- On 24 October at 13h20 (Colombia time), the Minamata Convention will co-host the in-person side event “Contributions of the chemicals and waste agenda to support the Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” with the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, UNEP and other key partners. This event will focus on recent developments and outcomes under the chemicals and waste international agenda and explore ways on which this can be considered for supporting the implementation of the GBF.
- On 25 October at 15h15 (Colombia time), the Minamata Convention will co-host the in-person session "Building peace: sustainable use of water-related ecosystems among all stakeholders" with UN Water, the Convention on Wetlands and the UN Development Programme. This session will focus on connecting the GBF with the daily realities around water use, discussing actions towards conservation and sustainability, and the reduction of impacts on biodiversity.
Learn more about the involvement of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention at COP-16 here.