Decision COP 16/10

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling its decision 15/14 of 19 December 2022,

Recognizing the importance of linking revisions to the programme of work on communication, education and public awareness  for the Convention on Biological Diversity  with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 

Noting that many activities associated with communication, education and public awareness are outlined in the communication strategy to support the implementation of the Framework, 

Recalling its decision 15/11 of 19 December 2022 on the Gender Plan of Action, in which the Conference of the Parties requested capacity-building and development activities to support the implementation of the Gender Plan of Action,

Noting the continued relevance of activities arising from its decisions VIII/6 of 31 March 2006, IX/32 of 30 May 2008, X/18 of 29 October 2010, XIII/22 of 17 December 2016 and 15/14,

Recognizing that, despite progress in communication and public awareness, insufficient work has been undertaken on strengthening education to support transformative actions to implement the Framework, and recognizing also the need for capacity-building and development in that area,

Recognizing also that developing countries face significant challenges in the implementation of the Framework and the development of actions for communication, education and public awareness, and that adequate resourcing is necessary to support those actions, in accordance with Article 20 of the Convention,

1. Encourages the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth organizations and other relevant organizations and stakeholders to continue to implement activities arising from its decisions VIII/6, IX/32, X/18 and 15/14, as relevant;

2. Welcomes the suggested actions set out in the annex to the present decision as a flexible voluntary framework, to align the programme of work on communication, education and public awareness with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;

3. Encourages Parties to develop and implement actions at the national level, as appropriate, in accordance with national circumstances and priorities, to align the programme of work on communication, education and public awareness with the Framework, as set out in the annex to the present decision, including the global plan of action for education on biodiversity mentioned in paragraph 4 below, and to include information in this regard in their national reports;

4. Invites the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the Global Youth Biodiversity Network and other relevant organizations to collaborate to develop a global plan of action for education on biodiversity, encompassing formal and informal education, in order to support the transformative actions needed to implement the Framework;

5. Invites Parties and relevant international organizations in a position to do so to provide resources, as appropriate, including to support capacity-building and development, for communication, education and public awareness activities at all levels;

6. Requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of resources:

7. Invites Parties and relevant organizations in a position to do so to provide support, including financial support, to the Executive Secretary and to Parties for the continued implementation of the communication strategy.