COP15 will run into 2022 as key biodiversity conference delayed for third time

The rumour-mill that COP15 – the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity – could face yet another delay has been swirling for some time now. And now this news has been officially confirmed by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

They revealed that COP15 will be split into two parts.

Part one (virtual meetings from 11 to 15 October 2021) is set to feature meetings about administrative matters and technical issues related to CBD programmes, as well as a high-level segment on 12 and 13 October 2021. Participants 'are expected to focus on the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework'.

Part two (face-to-face meetings in Kunming, China from 25 April to 8 May 2022) is expected to address the remaining agenda items, 'including the finalization and adoption of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework'.

It was also announced that Kunming will host the 10th meeting of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on BiosafetyCartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP 10) and the 4th meeting of Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP-MOP 4) between 25 April and 8 May 2022.

On the two-step summit format for COP15, CBD Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema had this to say:

“Convening COP-15 in two parts will enable maximum progress on the several remaining difficult issues prior to our conclusive face-to-face sessions in Kunming.”

H.E. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China, added: “China will continue to work with the Parties of the Convention and the Secretariat to overcome the adverse impact of the global epidemic on the Conference, fulfill the obligations
of the host country, steadily advance the preparations, and make all efforts to host a landmark Conference.”

As part two is taking place post-COP26, providing COP26 runs with its current dates of 31 October – 12 November 2021, it will be interesting to see whether the conclusions of the former feed into COP15 discussions.

Watch this space for more news.