United Nations BIODIVERSITY CONFERENCE: CBD COP16
CBD COP16 (Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity) will take place in Cali, Colombia from 21 October to 1 November, 2024
POGO will participate in the conference via several channels:
2024 Biodiversity Technology and Innovation Expo
POGO is hosting a booth in rotation 2 of the Biodiversity Technology and Innovation Expo in the margins of COP 16.
Thurs 24 to Sat 26 October 2024
Blue Zone
(with co-hosts:
INVEMAR
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML)
UN Ocean Decade-endorsed Programme: Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON)
Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON)
Using eDNA in Ocean Observations
The exhibit will demonstrate how environmental DNA (eDNA) can be collected from water samples in the open ocean, coastal ocean, seas and inland waters, to observe aquatic life and monitor biodiversity. It will showcase the power of eDNA technology to inform diverse ocean stakeholders and ocean managers, using a scalable metric to measure and understand change, such as that in the 30% of protected ocean by 2030, and to predict and alert the population to ocean hazards, such as harmful algal blooms or oxygen depletion.
During the expo, our booth will provide a hands-on opportunity for visitors to experience the sampling, laboratory, and bioinformatics techniques that are used to collect, analyse, and interpret eDNA samples to investigate aquatic life on our doorstep or further afield. It will provide an enchanting glimpse into what is living in the coastal and inland waters of Colombia, from the analysis of a few litres of water!
The exhibit is a partnership between POGO and several of its members, including INVEMAR in Colombia, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. It also brings together the communities of the UN Ocean Decade-endorsed Ocean Biomolecular Observing Network (OBON) and the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON). OBON works on capacity development for biomolecular ocean observing worldwide, through training and knowledge transfer on low-cost sampling kits, data management, citizen science, and community engagement, among others. POGO is currently sponsoring the establishment of a Latin American eDNA network, under the leadership of INVEMAR.
eDNA has a strong potential for supporting the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework in both the terrestrial and aquatic realms – in particular, the 2050 Goals A (Protect and Restore), C (Share Benefits Fairly), and D (Invest and Collaborate). Biodiversity observations using eDNA will be fundamental to advance and implement marine life forecasts and scenario planning. Monitoring biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and associated environmental parameters in the ocean, seas and inland waters underpins almost all of the 23 global targets. Without these data we cannot implement conservation measures, monitor their effectiveness, or indeed measure progress.
POGO-led side event
POGO is leading a satellite event in collaboration with GEO BON, on the topic of “Observing biology and ecosystems in the ocean for effective biodiversity conservation“.
The event will take place in the GEO Pavilion in the Blue Zone.
Friday 25 October 2024
10:00 am to 11:30 am COT (UTC -5)
Full details and speaker bios at: https://obon-ocean.org/2024/10/16/satellite-event-at-cbd-cop16-cali/
Other POGO-related side events
See below for side/satellite events and activities involving POGO and/or our members and partners:
Invemar is organising an event at La Casa Humboldt (Green Zone) on the topic of eDNA:
“Marine biodiversity monitoring network based on environmental DNA in Latin America and the Caribbean“
Monday 21 October,
10:30 – 11:30 (Local Time)
NB Spanish Language event
Panellists include POGO CEO, Sophie Seeyave
More details and full schedule for this venue at: https://cop16.humboldt.org.co/
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There are a number of relevant events taking place in the GEO pavilion, including:
“Centering biodiversity in United States policy and international partnerships”
Tuesday 22 October,
10:00 – 11:30 (Local Time)
Panellists include POGO Trustee, Francisco Chavez, MBARI/OBON
More details and speaker bios at: https://earthobservations.org/events/session/centering-biodiversity-united-states-policy-and-international-partnerships
For the full Pavilion schedule visit: https://earthobservations.org/events/2024-un-biodiversity-conference/schedule
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Ocean Day at COP 16 will feature sessions organized around the central theme of the “Ocean as the Great Connector”. It will bring together actors from across the world and across the spectrum of those doing important work on research, planning, conservation, and sustainable use of the ocean at all scales from global to regional to national and to local levels. It will connect stakeholders from governments, international organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society, the private sector and the science community.
Sunday 27 October 2024
from 9 am
KMGBF Pavilion (Blue Zone)
Session on “Science and technology for action” will take place at 14.30 – 15.30
(panel includes Sophie Seeyave, POGO; Francisco Arias, Invemar; Steve Widdicombe, PML)
This session will discuss the role of ocean science and knowledge to support implementation of the GBF. It will explore the links across the ocean science value chain from observations to data to science and knowledge and the importance of ensuring sustained investment in capacity development and transfer of technology. It will showcase the work being carried out in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, and other initiatives as tangible examples of the role of science, knowledge and technology in implementation.
KEY ELEMENTS
- The first segment of this informal “seaside chat” will explore the different elements of the ocean science value chain with speakers discussing the role of observations (POGO), data (INVEMAR), science (PML) and the ways in which they inform policy (DEFRA).
- The second segment will showcase three successful examples of where the different parts of the ocean science value chain have combined to generate knowledge that has a positive influence on policy. Examples include regional case studies and the work emerging from the Ocean Decade Vision 2030 process. Speakers will provide their views on factors of success (and failure) and common lessons for working across scales to support implementation.
- The session will conclude with closing remarks from three UN agencies – IOC, UNEP and ISA – and will end with the launch of a new publication showcasing numerous examples of Ocean Decade Actions that are contributing to GBF implementation.
Find out more at: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024/parallel-meetings/kmgbf-pavilion-ocean-day
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Monday 28 October at 10:45 – 11:45
CAF Pavilion – Blue Zone
“The Ocean-Climate Nexus and Coastal Resilience: Building a Sustainable Future”
(panel includes Kilaparti Ramakrishna, WHOI)
Thur 31 October – time tbc
Chile Pavilion
“The chilean sea: a natural laboratory for biodiversity and other ocean challenges”
(panel includes Camila Fernandez, CNRS- COPAS Coastal- Universidad de Concepcion)
Other
POGO members have come together to call for bold, collective action to sustain and significantly expand biomolecular ocean observations globally.
Read the full statement here:
https://pogo-ocean.org/statement-on-biological-observations-for-gbf/
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Centro de Eventos Valle Del Pacífico (CEVP), Cali, Colombia