Cooperation and Partnerships

High-Level Segment (COP16), 29 - 30 October 2024, Cali, Colombia

The high-level ministerial segment was held in Cali, Colombia, on 29 and 30 October 2024. The high-level segment, on the theme of “Peace with nature”, was attended by ministers of environment, other ministers, heads of delegation and high-level representatives, as well as representatives of national and international organizations, local authorities and subnational governments, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities and youth.

The “World Coalition for Peace with Nature: A Call for Life” was officially launched during the opening session of the high-level segment on 29 October.

1. Ministerial dialogue 1: urgent action for implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
2. Ministerial dialogue 2: sustainable finance, financial system reform and global responsibility to biodiversity
3. Ministerial dialogue 3: synergies between biodiversity and climate change: from science to action
4. Ministerial dialogue 4: peace with nature

Report on the high-level segment CBD/COP/16/13/Add.1

High-Level Segment (COP15), October 2021, Kunming, China; December 2022, MOntreal Canada

The High-Level Segment (HLS) of phase one of the 2021-22 UN Biodiversity Conference, hosted by the People’s Republic of China, was held virtually on 12-13 October 2021. Focusing on the theme of “Ecological Civilization—Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth”, the High-level Segment was convened to build and maintain political momentum in support of the ongoing negotiations to develop a detailed and effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework, due to for adoption at part two of the Conference in spring 2022. The HLS featured in-depth discussions amongst Ministers and other high-level representatives of Parties, as well as international and regional organizations and non-Party stakeholder groups with the aim of reinforcing the ambition for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The HLS adopted the Kunming Declaration: Ecological civilization: building a shared future for all life on Earth.

The High-Level Segment (HLS) of the second part of the 2020 UN Biodiversity Conference took place on 15, 16 and 17 December 2022. The overall objective was to enable ministers to support the final stages of the negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and related decisions with a view to ensuring a successful outcome of the Conference, including the adoption of an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

The High-Level Segment of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP14), 14-15 November 2018, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt

A high-level ministerial segment of the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity was held in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 14 and 15 November 2018. The high-level segment, on the theme of “Investing in biodiversity for people and planet”, was attended by ministers of environment, other heads of delegation and ministers, and other high-level representatives of the infrastructure, manufacturing and processing, energy and mining and health sectors, as well as representatives of national and international organizations, local authorities and subnational governments, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities and youth.

Two round-table discussions were held on the first day, 14 November 2018, one on mainstreaming biodiversity into the infrastructure sector and the other on mainstreaming biodiversity into the manufacturing and processing sector. On 15 November 2018, two further round tables were held during the morning session, one on mainstreaming biodiversity into the health sector and the other on mainstreaming biodiversity into the mining and energy sectors.

The Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration: Investing in Biodiversity for People and Planet. The Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration was issued as CBD/COP/14/12 and the report on the high-level segment as CBD/COP/14/12/Add.1.

14/3. Mainstreaming of biodiversity in the energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing sectors

Also recalling the Cancun Declaration on Mainstreaming the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity for Well-Being, adopted during the high-level segment of the thirteenth meeting, in Cancun, Mexico, on 3 December 2016, as well as the Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration, adopted during the high-level segment of the fourteenth meeting, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on 15 November 2018;

High-Level Segment (COP13), 2-3 December 2016, Cancun, Mexico

A high-level ministerial segment of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference was held in Cancun, Mexico, on 2 and 3 December 2016. The high-level segment, with the theme of “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Well-Being”, was attended by ministers of environment and other heads of delegation and ministers and other high-level representatives of the agriculture, tourism, fisheries and forestry sectors, as well as representatives of national and international organizations, local authorities and subnational governments, the private sector, indigenous peoples and local communities, and youth. The high-level segment also considered the linkages between action on biodiversity and climate change, as well as the importance of biodiversity to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

XIII/3. Strategic actions to enhance the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including with respect to mainstreaming and the integration of biodiversity within and across sectors

1. Welcomes the Cancun Declaration on mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for well-being (Guidance for Mainstreaming Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in the Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Tourism Sectors), adopted during the high-level segment of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference, 2016, where ministers and other heads of delegation committed to integrating, in a structured and coherent manner, actions for the conservation, sustainable use, management and restoration of biological diversity and ecosystem services in sectoral and cross-sectoral policies, plans and programmes, as well as in legal and administrative measures and budgets

Report of the High-Level Segment of the Thirteenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Cancun, Mexico, on 2–3 December 2016.

High-Level Segment (COP 12), 15 to 16 October 2014, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea

A high-level ministerial segment was held at the Alpensia Convention Centre, in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea, on 15 and 16 October 2014. The high-level segment, on the theme “Biodiversity for sustainable development”, was attended by 348 participants from 150 countries, including 79 government ministers and vice-ministers, 39 heads of delegations, as well as 42 national and international organizations, including 24 heads of international organizations.

Four panel discussions were held as part of the high-level segment, which was divided into two sessions. The theme of the first session was “Integrating biodiversity into the sustainable development agenda at national and international levels” and that of the second session was “Biodiversity, climate change and creative economy”.

1. Panel 1: “Integrating biodiversity into the sustainable development goals and post-2015 agenda”
2. Panel 2: “Integrating national biodiversity strategies and action plans into national and local development and poverty eradication strategies and planning processes”
3. Panel 3: “Nature-based solutions to global challenges”
4. Panel 4: “Biodiversity and creative economy

The major outcome of the High-level Segment was the adoption of the Gangwon Declaration on Biodiversity for Sustainable Development that highlights the importance of biodiversity to sustainable development, the post-2015 development agenda and the sustainable development goals.

Summary report of the high-level segment held during the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity

XII/27. Improving the efficiency of structures and processes of the Convention: Concurrent meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meetings of the Parties to the Protocols

1. Recommends that, in future, the high-level segment of the Conference of the Parties be organized as a high-level segment of the Convention and its Protocols;

High-Level Segment (COP11), 16 to 19 October 2012, Hyderabad, India

A high-level ministerial segment of the meeting was held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, Hyderabad, India, from 16 to 19 October 2012. The high-level segment was attended by 74 Parties, including 61 at Head of State, Head of Government or ministerial level, and by heads of intergovernmental organizations.

Four panel discussions took place as part of the high-level segment:

1. Panel - I: Implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020;
2. Panel- II: Biodiversity for Livelihoods and Poverty Reduction;
3. Panel- III: Coastal and Marine Biodiversity;
4. Panel- IV: Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing.

Chair’s Summary Statement of the High Level Segment of the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Plenary and Panel Discussions held on 17 and 18 October 2012)

High Level Segment of COP10, 27-29 October 2010, Nagoya, Japan

A high-level ministerial segment of the meeting was held at the Century Hall of Nagoya Congress Centre, Nagoya, Japan, from 27 to 29 October 2010. The high-level segment was attended by 180 Parties, including 109 at the level of Heads of State and Government or ministers, as well as heads of intergovernmental organizations. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the United Nations Secretary-General sent a video message to the opening session. A stakeholder panel was held for relevant international organizations, parliamentarians, local authorities, business, non-governmental organizations, indigenous and local communities, women, youth and other stakeholders.

Chair's Summary Statement of the High-Level Segment (29 October 2010)

High-Level Segment (COP9), 28 to 30 May 2008, Bonn, Germany

A high-level ministerial segment of the meeting was held at the World Conference Centre, Bonn, from 28 to 30 May 2008. A total of 157 countries participated in the high-level segment, 80 of which were represented at the ministerial level and 37 at the deputy-minister or state-secretary level. Representatives of international intergovernmental organizations, parliamentarians, local communities, business, youth, non-governmental organizations and indigenous and local communities also participated.

In conjunction with the high-level segment, a high-level plenary session of the meeting was held at the Maritim Hotel Bonn on 28 May.

High-level Segment of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity: Conclusions of Minister Gabriel, President of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties considered:

1. The role of local authorities
2. The role of indigenous and local communities
3. The importance of young people
4. The contribution of non-governmental organizations
5. The role of the business community
6. The understanding of the economic significance of the global loss of biological diversity
7. The role of science

Bonn Agenda on Global Biodiversity of the German CBD Presidency had a special focus on the following issues

1. Access and benefit-sharing
2. LifeWeb Initiative
3. Mobilizing financial resources
4. The economics of ecosystems and biodiversity
5. Beyond 2010
6. Global biodiversity governance

COP 8, Curitiba, Brazil, 20 - 31 March 2006

VIII/10. Operations of the Convention

4. Requests the Executive Secretary to work with the host country to ensure an effective and productive ministerial segment; and further requests the Executive Secretary in agreement with the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties and the host country of any meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to develop a format for the ministerial segment that will enhance its contribution to the Conference of the Parties and generate support for, and raise awareness of, biodiversity-related issues and the implementation of the Convention;

High Level Segment (COP6), 7 - 19 April 2002, The Hague, Kingdom of the Netherlands

Decision VI/21: Annex to The Hague Ministerial Declaration of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Contribution from the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to the World Summit on Sustainable Development)

High Level Segment (COP 5), 15 - 26 May 2000, Nairobi, Kenya

On 23 May 2000, a ministerial round table on capacity-building in developing countries to facilitate the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was held in conjunction with the meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The summary by the Chair of the ministerial round table on capacity-building in developing countries to facilitate the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Nairobi, 23 May 2000)

Ministerial Roundtable on Biological Diversity (COP4), 4 and 5 May 1998, Bratislava, Slovakia

In accordance with the organization of work of the meeting, a Ministerial Roundtable on Biological Diversity was held on 4 and 5 May 1998 in Bratislava, Slovakia. The President of the Conference of the Parties presented a summary of the results of the Roundtable to the Conference at the 5th plenary session of the meeting, on 6 May 1998.

The High-Level Segment (COP 3), 1–2 November 1996, Buenos Aires, Argentina

The High-Level Segment of COP 3 took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on 1–2 November 1996, as part of the broader COP 3 meeting held from 4–15 November 1996. Pursuant to the pragmatic approach suggested by the Presidency and agreed upon by the meeting, no ministerial declaration was adopted and, instead, the major views expressed at the ministerial segment would be conveyed, under the responsibility of the President, as a contribution of the Conference of the Parties to the special session of the General Assembly to review progress in the implementation of Agenda 21.

High-Level Segment (COP 2), 14–15 November 1995, Jakarta, Indonesia

The High-Level Segment of COP 2 took place on 14–15 November 1995 in Jakarta, Indonesia, as part of the broader COP 2 meeting held from 6–17 November 1995. This segment included a Ministerial Segment, during which ministers and high-level representatives discussed key issues and priorities related to the implementation of the Convention. One of the major outcomes was the Jakarta Mandate on Marine and Coastal Biological Diversity, which emphasized the global importance of conserving marine and coastal ecosystems