Themed "Peace with Nature," COP16 has the task of coming up with monitoring and funding mechanisms to ensure UN targets agreed at COP15 two years ago can be met by 2030 to "halt and reverse" the loss of nature.The summit opened under the protection of more than 10,000 Colombian police and soldiers. / Photo: AFP
"We all agree that we are underfunded for this mission, we all agree that we need further sources of funding," said Muhamad, as she urged parties to use the event to take stock and make further commitments.About 12,000 delegates, including 140 government ministers and a dozen heads of state were expected at the largest-ever biodiversity COP running until November 1.
A collapse in services provided by nature, such as pollination and clean water, could see the global economy lose"trillions of dollars a year," said Guterres. Under strict security at the venue, the delegates have their work cut out for them. There are just five years left to achieve the target of placing 30 percent of land and sea areas under protection by 2030.