Discussions about biodiversity continued in Rome, Italy, in February as CBD Parties gathered to resume pending topics discussed late last year in Cali, Colombia, at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Its second resumed sessions allowed countries to continue talks on resource mobilisation, financial mechanisms, planning, monitoring, reporting, and review. Aligned with these critical meetings was the announcement of the next cohort of facilitators for the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s Facilitator Programme, marking growth for the strategic initiative and new potential in accelerating biodiversity action.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, co-chaired by Colombia and Germany, is a growing coalition of countries, institutions and non-state actors supporting NBSAP implementation towards the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. The partnership’s Facilitator Programme bridges gaps in national biodiversity action by commissioning knowledgeable in-country facilitators to support NBSAP needs, mobilise resources, and build collaboration among stakeholders. Following the model of the NDC Partnership, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership’s Facilitator Programme prioritizes country-led, whole-of-government and whole-of-society action, acknowledging that many countries are poised to plan and implement unique place-based solutions but need additional support to organize and align resources for implementation.

Facilitators act as liaisons and representatives for the partnership embedded within relevant government institutions, regional bodies, or transboundary organisations. They play a critical role in helping nations connect with the partnership’s MatchMaking Mechanism, as well as other support systems that can make a difference in achieving biodiversity goals.

During the resumed sessions of COP16 in Rome, Jan-Niclas Gesenhues, Parliamentary State Secretary at the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, presented certificates of recognition to representatives from countries hosting NBSAP Accelerator Partnership facilitators. The moment marked the official announcement of the Facilitator Programme’s second cohort and acknowledged its 12 host countries and regional centres: Armenia, Bolivia, Liberia, Madagascar, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Somalia, South Africa, Uganda, and the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD).