The 16th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) is the first global meeting following the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Countries are set to submit their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) aligned with the framework’s new targets, making it a key moment for global biodiversity conservation. The conference presents an important opportunity for CBD Parties to promote collective efforts and drive progress towards implementation.

For the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and its members, COP16 is a pivotal opportunity. It presents a space for the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership to showcase its role as a trusted enabler, collaborating and delivering on-the-ground, practical solutions to help countries meet and accelerate their biodiversity goals. Throughout the conference the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and its members will elevate NBSAPs as a critical part of the global biodiversity solution and raise the necessary political support to accelerate their implementation.

The event is also an important moment in history for the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, as it marks the acceleration of its own services, which are set to move into an implementation phase that will provide countries with unprecedented tangible and direct support to accelerate action on NBSAPs.

Key opportunities for NBSAP Accelerator Partnership members and supporters at COP16 include:

1. Enhanced political leverage for members: By participating actively, country members can strengthen their political positioning, demonstrating their commitment to the GBF and showcasing their progress. This visibility can lead to increased support and resources from both domestic and international stakeholders.
2. Opportunities for tailored solutions: The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s staff will be available to connect countries with customized solutions and support through key offerings, including its Matchmaking Service. COP16 is an opportunity for members to discuss and address specific challenges they face in NBSAP implementation and collaborate with other members and supporters.
3. Exchange of knowledge and best practices: The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership will host several COP16 events and activities designed to facilitate the exchange of innovative approaches and successful strategies. Members can learn from each other, adopt best practices, and enhance their own biodiversity strategies.

Some of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership strategic events and activities at COP16 include:

1. NBSAP Help Desk: Throughout COP16, from October 21 to November 1, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership will host the NBSAP Help Desk, a one-stop shop for countries seeking practical solutions, advice, and resources to accelerate their biodiversity efforts. This booth, a joint initiative with the Early Action Support project and the National Monitoring Initiative, will provide a vital support mechanism for CBD Parties, offering guidance on everything from financing strategies to technical tools for monitoring progress.
2. NBSAP Day: The centerpiece of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s involvement is the organization of NBSAP Day on October 22– a dedicated event at the GBF Pavilion that will highlight progress, explore solutions, and share best practices among CBD Parties. The event will open with a networking breakfast and keynote speeches showcasing NBSAP progress and innovative approaches to implementation, including financing mechanisms and inclusive participation. The day will unfold with a series of TED-style talks where countries will share their experiences, reflecting on the challenges, limitations, and opportunities they face in mainstreaming biodiversity. These discussions will emphasize critical themes such as private sector engagement, human rights, and the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The event will culminate with a reception, during which the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership will announce a first invitation for countries to join its Facilitator Programme’s second Expression of Interest, a key initiative designed to support NBSAP implementation.
3. Side event on NBSAP and NDC alignment: The GBF Implementation Global Project, implemented by GIZ under the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, is planning a side event on October 25,  that will focus on the synergies between climate and biodiversity action. This event will explore the alignment between NBSAPs and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and offer concrete examples of how countries are tackling the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Through the sharing of successful experiences, the side event will promote dialogue on integrated solutions that address both challenges.
4. High-Level Segment: The culmination of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s engagement at COP16 will be the High-Level Segment of the conference’s closing event on October 30. The event is designed to bring together country representatives, including ministers and sector leaders, to secure commitments and political will. It will also highlight the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s innovative MatchMaking Mechanism, which connects countries with opportunities and partnerships that can drive the effective implementation of their NBSAPs. The high-level segment serves as a culmination of discussions at COP16, focusing on identifying barriers to NBSAP implementation and fostering innovative, country-led solutions. The participation of diverse stakeholders, from Indigenous Peoples and local communities to youth and women, will help build a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to biodiversity action.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership and its staff are committed to strategic consultation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders during and leading up to COP16. The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership supports a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach engaging all sectors, including Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, youth, donors, implementing partners from the Global South, and the private sector.

Together with its diverse collaborators, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership believes COP16 will drive meaningful progress and make a significant impact on the future of biodiversity conservation.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership invites you to stay connected as more details on the COP16 agenda are shared in the coming days.