COP15 biodiversity: the meeting of the decade

1888 France - Last modified by the author on 06/12/2022 - 10:30
COP15 biodiversity: the meeting of the decade


The 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) will be held from December 7 to 19, 2022 in Montreal, Canada. It must allow the adoption of a new global strategic framework which will set the global objectives to be achieved in order to put an end to the erosion of biodiversity by 2030. France and the European Union would like the adoption of an ambitious framework, with resources commensurate with the challenges. Christophe Béchu, Minister for Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, and Bérangère Couillard, Secretary of State for Ecology, will be present to present France's ambitions in terms of biodiversity.

The meeting of the decade for biodiversity

The context of COP15 biodiversity

The 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity will be held from December 7 to 19, 2022, under Chinese chairmanship, after being officially opened in October 2021 in China. This first part led in particular to the adoption of the Kunming declaration , with 17 commitments for biodiversity.

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the three Rio Conventions, established in 1992 at the Earth Summit. It has three main objectives: the conservation of biodiversity, its sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention, bringing together every two years the 196 Parties to the treaty (195 States and the European Union which carries the voice of its members). Every ten years, it decides on a global framework to act in favor of biodiversity. Thus, the 2010 COP10 adopted the strategic plan for biological diversity for the period 2011-2020, including the 20 Aichi targets .

A major challenge: the adoption of a new global strategic framework for biodiversity for the period 2020-2030

COP15 is structuring because it should enable the adoption of a new global strategic framework for biodiversity by 2030. This global framework is intended to succeed the Aichi objectives of COP10 in 2010, whose objectives have not been only very partially achieved. This framework should include quantified and measurable objectives as well as a mechanism for monitoring and evaluating implementation.

The negotiations focus on four main objectives.

  1. Reducing threats to biodiversity
  2. Conservation and sustainable use of resources
  3. Access and sharing of benefits from genetic resources
  4. Means of implementing the global framework

These objectives are broken down into 22 concrete targets, including the protection of at least 30% of the planet's land and oceans by 2030, an action supported in particular by France within the framework of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and the peoples .

The highlights of COP15 biodiversity

Manyevents and highlights are expected at COP15, from December 7 to 19, 2022 in Montreal.

  • Negotiation sessions and working groups on the new global strategic framework for biodiversity.
  • The COP plenary which will open the debates and close the negotiations with the adoption of decisions.
  • From December 15 to 17, a high-level segment during which each country will be able to express itself on its commitments in favor of biodiversity.
  • Thematic forums, side events and numerous events, including a meeting of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, co-chaired by France with Costa Rica and the United Kingdom.
  • Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing Related to Genetic Resources will also meet during COP15.
Share :