In a significant turn of events, Turkey has announced its withdrawal from hosting the United Nations’ COP16 biodiversity summit in 2024. This decision comes in the aftermath of a series of powerful earthquakes that struck the nation in February, leaving devastating impacts on various regions. The biodiversity summit, slated to take place in October of the following year, was intended to review progress on the biodiversity targets established during COP15 in Montreal the previous December.
The withdrawal was formally communicated by the UN convention on biological diversity, citing a “force majeure situation” as the compelling reason behind Turkey’s decision. As a consequence, the UN has extended an invitation to other countries to step forward as potential hosts for the conference, while aiming to preserve the scheduled dates of October 21 to November 1. Unlike the annual climate COPs, biodiversity summits occur biennially.
As deliberations on the new host country unfold, prominent contenders include France, the UK, Switzerland, and Spain. COP16 carries immense significance, serving as a platform for governments to discuss their progress in achieving the ambitious targets set forth during COP15. These objectives encompass safeguarding 30% of land and sea, reforming $500 billion of environmentally detrimental subsidies, and rejuvenating 30% of the Earth’s compromised terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
It’s noteworthy that the road leading to COP15 was also marred by disruptions, primarily caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The event was subject to multiple delays and ultimately shifted from Kunming, China, to Montreal due to travel restrictions stemming from the pandemic.
The withdrawal from hosting COP16 presents a pivotal moment for international commitment to the set targets, which hold significant implications for the planet’s biodiversity. David Cooper, interim head of the secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, highlighted the Turkish government’s reasoning for their withdrawal, attributing it to the “force majeure situation” created by the series of destructive earthquakes earlier in the year. Cooper further expressed condolences and solidarity with Turkey, acknowledging the government’s challenging decision in light of the prevailing circumstances.
To facilitate discussions on progress achieved since COP15, informal talks are slated to take place during the climate COP28 in Dubai later in the year, commencing in late November. As nations grapple with the imperative of meeting biodiversity targets by the end of the decade, COP16 emerges as a critical juncture for evaluating international resolve and collaborative efforts toward preserving Earth’s biodiversity in the face of unprecedented challenges.
The slated biodiversity summit, which would mark the first gathering since the landmark COP15 where nations established this decade’s biodiversity targets, was set to take place in Turkey in October of the following year. The purpose of this assembly was to assess the progress made in the wake of the commitments made during COP15, held in Montreal the previous December.
The UN convention on biological diversity swiftly responded to Turkey’s withdrawal, attributing the decision to a “force majeure situation.” This unforeseen circumstance has now opened the door for other nations to offer their hosting capabilities, with a glimmer of hope that the original dates, spanning from October 21 to November 1, can be retained. While the climate COPs occur annually, biodiversity summits convene biennially, underscoring the significance of each gathering.
France, the UK, Switzerland, and Spain have emerged as potential alternative hosts for COP16. This summit holds immense importance, serving as a platform for governments to discuss their strides towards meeting the ambitious goals outlined in COP15. These objectives encompass the protection of 30% of land and sea, the overhaul of $500 billion worth of environmentally detrimental subsidies, and the restoration of 30% of Earth’s deteriorated ecosystems, spanning terrestrial, inland water, coastal, and marine environments.
The echoes of disruption that accompanied COP15’s lead-up, characterized by multiple delays and a shift from Kunming, China, to Montreal due to pandemic-related travel constraints, are now mirrored in the challenges posed by Turkey’s withdrawal from COP16.
The decision to withdraw stems from the impact of a trio of earthquakes that struck Turkey in February 2023, inflicting profound damage and upheaval. David Cooper, the interim head of the secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, conveyed Turkey’s reasons for withdrawal, highlighting the “force majeure situation” brought about by the destructive earthquakes. Cooper’s empathetic tone acknowledged the difficulty of the decision made by the Turkish government and underscored the solidarity extended by the UN secretariat.
As discussions unfold regarding the new host nation for COP16, the biodiversity community braces for a potential turning point in global conservation efforts. The withdrawal serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of ecosystems and the unforeseen challenges that can derail well-laid plans. It reinforces the need for resilience, adaptability, and international cooperation in confronting the myriad environmental threats that humanity faces.
Informal dialogues on progress achieved since COP15 are slated to occur during the climate COP28 in Dubai later this year, offering a crucial avenue for nations to share insights and strategies in the pursuit of their biodiversity targets. COP16 assumes an even more pronounced role now, serving as a litmus test for the steadfastness of international commitment to biodiversity preservation. In a world grappling with the urgency of addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, the withdrawal from hosting COP16 highlights the intricate interplay between human endeavors and the unpredictability of nature.
