Caroline Moh, Senior Director of Business Development
Recently, COP16, the biannual biodiversity-focused Conference of Parties that took place from October 21 through November 1 in Cali, Colombia, wrapped up its discussions, leaving participants and attendees with much to consider. This global gathering was more than just a series of official dialogues; it created valuable opportunities for organizations to connect, learn, and advocate for the preservation of biodiversity and the strengthening of local communities.
At Cadasta, our mission to advance land rights through technology brought us to COP16 with two primary objectives: first, to advocate for increased funding for Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendent Peoples, and local communities in protecting and stewarding biodiversity; and second, to learn and share best practices to strengthen our global partnerships with community leaders and organizations.
A key takeaway from COP16 was the vital role of youth in driving climate and biodiversity action. Their energy, commitment, and innovative spirit are vital to driving effective action. From informal discussions to official dialogues, young leaders both inspired and impressed participants with their vision and determination.
We saw this firsthand with three young representatives from our partner organization, Unidad Indígena del Pueblo Awá (UNIPA) in Colombia. These leaders are working to strengthen community governance of their territories, using GIS and mapping technologies provided by Cadasta. For many in their community, it’s the first time they’ve had access to these tools. Their eagerness to learn and adopt new technology has sparked enthusiasm across all age groups in the community, highlighting the power of young people to drive progress.
Similarly, young women and men from the Association of Saamaka Traditional Authorities (VSG) in Suriname have been pivotal in mapping their communities to protect and preserve the land they steward. Their dedication to capturing critical information about ancestral territorial resources and charting them to secure their communities’ rights demonstrates the essential role of youth in protecting local knowledge and lands.
At COP16, youth from all over the globe gathered in both formal and informal settings, sharing ideas, building alliances, and amplifying advocacy messages, demonstrating their essential role in biodiversity protection. It was inspiring to see young civil society leaders rallying around communities that play critical roles in mitigating climate change and preserving biodiversity.
On the official side, COP16 concluded with hope. The adoption of recommendations under Article 8(j) and UN4Indigenous is a promising step forward. However, the need for a concrete funding strategy for ambitious biodiversity protection looms large. My hope is that by COP30 next year, we’ll see renewed commitments from governments and philanthropies to fund Indigenous, local community, and Afro-descendant efforts in biodiversity protection.
We know that young people will continue to be driving voices in these conversations, leading the way toward a future where their communities can thrive in harmony with the land they love and protect. COP16 reminded us of the power of youth and innovation in the fight for our planet’s biodiversity, and we at Cadasta are more committed than ever to supporting their work.