At the high-level closing segment of the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership launched its MatchMaking Mechanism, a dynamic platform aimed at accelerating country-led and demand-driven biodiversity action. Supported by a coalition of nations, including Canada, Germany, Norway, and Brazil, among others, and with the leadership of the Government of Colombia, the MatchMaking Mechanism’s launch marked a milestone in accelerating the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) globally, strengthening countries’ commitments to achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The launch event underscored the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s commitment as a collaborative, country-led initiative, with diverse nations actively contributing technical and financial resources and expertise to accelerate NBSAP implementation. Representatives from more than 40 countries attended the closing, including Colombia’s Vice Minister of Environment, Mauricio Cabrera; Germany’s Parliamentary State Secretary, Jan-Niclas Gesenhues; Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service, Tara Shannon; Director on Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change of Brazil, Braulio Dias; Director General Level Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Dr. Ning Liu and Florika Fink-Hooijer from the European Commission. As Co-chairs, Vice Minister Cabrera and Parliamentary State Secretary Gesenhues invited high-level representatives to join the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s collaborative effort to scale biodiversity action.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership centres on keeping countries in the driving seat by connecting them with tailored technical and financial support based on their biodiversity priorities and needs. It aims to support countries in accelerating action across all 23 targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework, ensuring that biodiversity efforts are both strategic and sustainable.

The MatchMaking Mechanism offers a vehicle to accelerate country-led, demand-driven action for nature. With staff support and a curated digital platform, the mechanism matches country-identified requests for support with ready and collaborative suppliers to accelerate efficient and sustainable biodiversity action. The MatchMaking Mechanism works in tandem with the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s Facilitator Programme, which embeds skilled staff in partner countries and regions, helping governments move seamlessly from planning to on-the-ground implementation with a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach. Together, these initiatives are designed to foster locally rooted requests for support that align with each country’s NBSAP needs and priorities.

A significant presence of the CBD’s Technical and Scientific Cooperation (TSC) regional support centres underscored the shift towards a more localised, responsive model for the provision of biodiversity support. Their engagement reflects the growing commitment to decentralising collaboration and resource distribution, moving it closer to the regions and communities impacted. This model is in alignment with the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s goals.

The mood in the room was one of optimism and solidarity. Leaders underscored the importance of accelerated action, recognizing the shared responsibility to protect the planet for future generations. The event reinforced the power of partnerships, and saw high-level representatives commit to joining the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, facilitated by UNEP, UNDP and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, welcomes all partners interested in accelerating country-led action.