For the first time, the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will be present at the United Nations Conference on Biodiversity (COP16), which will take place in Cali, Colombia, from 21 October to 1 November. 

This is a significant step in the evolution of the Foundation’s commitment to the protection and restoration of biodiversity, as well as to climate action. Until now, the Foundation has focused its efforts on marine and coastal ecosystems, but this will mark an expansion in our approach to include critical habitats in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. This broader commitment reflects our mission to promote sustainability and a thriving natural world. 

This year’s COP16 is inspired by the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15, which aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 in order to live in harmony with nature by 2050. As a leading international platform, COP16 will focus on strategies to protect ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts, and tackle the challenges of climate change and nature degradation. 

Alongside reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to biodiversity protection, our presence at COP16 will also focus on the announcement of the launch of the 2025 edition of the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, expanding our network and encouraging people and organisations to apply. 

In collaboration with past winners and other partners, COP16 will provide an opportunity to engage with new institutions. This platform will promote the Prize to prestigious nominators and reinforce its narrative that connects climate, biodiversity, and people, positioning the Prize as a flagship initiative of the Foundation.

Nominations for the next edition of the Prize will open on 1 November 2024 and close on 31 January 2025. 

The Prize supports scalable solutions with real impact for communities and the advancement of climate and biodiversity goals, both nationally and globally. Since its inception, the Prize has awarded €5 million to individuals, groups, and organisations that have made exceptional contributions to climate action and solutions that inspire hope and possibility. It recognises innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions to tackle climate change and prevent biodiversity loss.

You can find more information about the Prize here.

Our presence at COP16 will shine a spotlight on key areas such as: 

• Ecosystem Restoration: In support of the EU Nature Restoration Law, we are committed to helping restore 30% of degraded terrestrial, coastal, and marine ecosystems in Portugal by 2030. 
•  Climate and Ocean Interdependence: As part of our ongoing support for ocean protection and restoration, we will explore the critical role marine ecosystems play in carbon capture, biodiversity protection, and as barriers against climate impacts. With ocean health as a key pillar of the COP16 discussions, we will highlight our initiatives, including the Gulbenkian Blue Carbon project. 
•  Nature-Based Solutions: We believe in the power of nature-based solutions to address both biodiversity and climate challenges. From community-led reforestation projects to innovative approaches in sustainable agriculture and fire-resistant infrastructure, the Foundation is fostering pioneering initiatives that demonstrate the role of local communities in ecosystem restoration. 

COP16 will address a wide range of urgent issues, including: 

• Biodiversity Financing: Closing the biodiversity financing gap, estimated at $700 billion per year, is crucial to achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Foundation is interested in exploring how philanthropy can play a bigger role in closing this gap, driving positive investments for nature, and fostering cross-sectoral partnerships for biodiversity conservation. 
•  Indigenous and Local Community Protection: Indigenous and local communities are vital guardians of biodiversity. At COP16, the Foundation will engage in discussions on inclusive conservation efforts, prioritising the participation of communities in ecosystem restoration and nature protection. 
•  Sustainable Development and Biodiversity: The link between sustainable development and biodiversity will be a central theme at COP16, exploring how biodiversity protection contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), improving food security, water quality, and climate resilience, and how SDG indicators can be used to monitor the state of nature and achieve the Framework’s targets. 

Future Outlook 

The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation is committed to contributing to this global dialogue, promoting nature-based solutions and supporting biodiversity conservation through our Sustainability Programme. By focusing on the interconnection between ecosystems, climate, and community well-being, we are proud to be part of the growing movement to protect the natural world for current and future generations. 

You can learn more about the Foundation’s Sustainability Programme here.