At CBD COP16, women from across the globe came together to share their personal journeys, challenges, and hopes for a gender-equitable future in biodiversity governance. Women at CBD COP16: Reflections and Lessons captures some of the personal reflections of the women participants from Women4Biodiversity’s restoration sites. These reflections not only highlight their determination towards biodiversity conservation but also serve as a call to action for stronger support and recognition of women’s contributions to global biodiversity targets and goals.
Elizabeth Assef, Fundacion Inalafquen (FI), Argentina
Salí de Argentina, rumbo a la COP 16, llevando en mi “mochila” mi experiencia plasmada en el Proyecto “Biodiversidad, género y restauración”, con aprendizajes y desafíos para compartir. Imaginaba que serían días de mucha actividad, pero todo eso fue superado porque tuve la oportunidad de compartir y conocer personalmente a las mujeres del súper equipo Women4Biodiversity: Tina, Shruti, Sumina, Mrinalini, Ale, Ángeles, y su apoyo constante y a las mujeres de los sitios piloto: Moomoo, Regina, Rodha, Irene, Arita, Laura, Lotty,…en todas ellas pude corroborar que aunque estemos en lugares del mundo muy lejanos y distintos, ¡nuestros corazones laten con la misma fuerza, impulsados por los desafíos asumidos!
En lo personal, haber tenido la posibilidad de tener el espacio para ser escuchada, y compartir las experiencias y necesidades en los eventos organizados por W4B, FARN o CBDWC, en la COP16, fue un gran privilegio, intenso y alentador como también, más que destacable, conocer las demandas y logros en los debates de las organizaciones sociales, puestas de manifiesto en cada evento, conferencia, foro o panel, en un mismo y alto nivel, tanto en los eventos de la zona azul como en la zona verde. Del mismo modo, cabe remarcar que fue muy importante, conocer por dentro los mecanismos de funcionamiento del CBD y lo que implican sus decisiones, avances o estancamientos. Las lecciones y aprendizajes se relacionan con la necesidad de reforzar los equipos locales y el trabajo colectivo, seguir sembrando conciencia ambiental en territorio para generar más participación social en la conservación de la biodiversidad y la perspectiva de género y la restauración. Mejorar el uso de las redes y sus nuevos y múltiples formatos de comunicación y marketing social, me alientan a querer incorporarlos y así optimizar nuestras estrategias con el fin de sostener y lograr las alianzas necesarias para la Restauración del sitio Mar Grande.
Del mismo modo, cabe remarcar que fue muy importante, conocer por dentro los mecanismos de funcionamiento del CBD y lo que implican sus decisiones, avances o estancamientos.
Translated to English
I left Argentina, on my way to COP 16, carrying in my “backpack” my experience embodied in the “Biodiversity, gender and restoration” project, with lessons and challenges to share. I imagined that they would be very busy days, but all that was overcome because I had the opportunity to share and personally meet the women of the Women4Biodiversity super team: Tina, Shruti, Sumina, Mrinalini, Ale, Angeles, and their constant support and the women of the restoration sites: Moomoo, Regina, Rodha, Irene, Arita, Laura, Lotty. In all of them I could corroborate that although we are in very distant and different parts of the world, our hearts beat with the same strength, driven by the challenges taken on!
Personally, having had the possibility of having the space to be heard, and to share experiences and needs in the events organized by Women4Biodiversity, FARN or CBD Women’s Caucus at COP16, was a great privilege, intense and encouraging, as well as, more than remarkable, to know the demands and achievements in the debates of social organizations, highlighted in each event, conference, forum or panel, at the same high level, both in the events of the blue zone and in the green zone. Likewise, it is worth noting that it was very important to learn from the inside about the CBD’s operating mechanisms and the implications of its decisions, progress or stagnation.
The lessons learned are related to the need to strengthen local teams and collective work, to continue sowing environmental awareness in the territory to generate more social participation in the conservation of biodiversity and the gender perspective and restoration. Improving the use of networks and their new and multiple formats of communication and social marketing, encourage me to want to incorporate them and thus optimize our strategies in order to sustain and achieve the necessary alliances for the Restoration of the Mar Grande site.
Charlotte ‘Lotty’ Clare, Karen Environmental Social Action Network (KESAN), Myanmar
Two representatives from the Karen Environmental and Social Action Network attended the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, in October 2024. With biodiversity under unprecedented threat due to unrestrained capitalism driving unsustainable resource extraction, COP16 presented an essential opportunity to join the global community in reshaping discussions, building solidarities and networks, and influencing the direction of biodiversity funding.
The UN’s focus on nation-state sovereignty poses challenges for engagement, particularly for people from conflict-affected countries like Myanmar, where there is no functioning or legitimate government, and for countries governed by despotic regimes. Much of the negotiations, nationally determined contributions, and international funding depend on national government involvement. This also affects funds earmarked for Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), which are often funneled through governments or intermediaries instead of directly reaching the communities in need.
At COP16, we advocated for financial and technical resources to support conflict-affected IP and LC communities in their rehabilitation. This includes restoring essential infrastructure such as healthcare, education, and sustainable livelihoods, as well as strengthening local governance institutions. We emphasized the need to fortify IP and LC-led governance structures to enable effective management of lands and resources. Capacity-building initiatives should enhance legal frameworks, leadership, and resource management, empowering Indigenous and local communities to lead conservation and development efforts. With Women4Biodiversity, we also joined their calls to highlight the need to have gender-disaggregated data to advocate for the rights of women and girls in biodiversity conservation.
Key takeaways included learning about the IPBSAP (Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan) developed by Indigenous communities in the Philippines. This initiative allows communities to organize, document their contributions, and advocate for IPBSAP’s inclusion in the national NBSAP (National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan). We also connected with the government of the Macroterritory of the Jaguars of Yuruparí and Indigenous communities to understand how they govern their territories in alignment with their traditions and culture. It was inspiring to see indigenous communities strengthening their own structures and environmental governance rather than waiting for recognition. This also rings true in the Salween Peace Park.
Whilst it was inspiring and motivating to see so many diverse people working in varied fields around biodiversity – women, youth, elders, indigenous peoples, artists, and more – the conference underscored the daunting challenges we face as a global community—particularly the impacts of biodiversity loss and the false solutions being proposed, which can lead to harm or even human rights abuses. National government pledges remain grossly insufficient, and the issues are deeply rooted in the dominance of the economic growth model, extractive neoliberal paradigms, and the profiteering interests of global financial institutions.
Whilst it was inspiring and motivating to see so many diverse people working in varied fields around biodiversity – women, youth, elders, indigenous peoples, artists, and more – the conference underscored the daunting challenges we face as a global community—particularly the impacts of biodiversity loss and the false solutions being proposed
Sunita ‘Moomoo’ Kwangta, Karen Environmental Social Action Network (KESAN), Myanmar
At COP16, I came with high hopes to elevate Indigenous women’s voices, especially showcasing Karen women’s contributions to environmental stewardship through the story of Salween Peace Park. I wanted to highlight how gender-disaggregated data can inform inclusive policies and bring attention to the invaluable roles of women and youth especially communities from Karen State, within Myanmar for their roles in conservation.
Reflecting on my experience, I was inspired by the solidarity among Indigenous groups, which underscored the collective strength we bring to global conservation goals. However, I also recognized the challenges of bridging grassroots perspectives with high-level policy agendas. Seeing how some audiences responded to the importance of gender insights in environmental data highlighted both progress and areas for growth.
Key lessons emerged from this experience. First, I learned the power of clear, culturally respectful communication in conveying complex issues on an international stage. Observing the policy-making process deepened my understanding of how Indigenous advocates can navigate these spaces to make lasting impacts. Engaging with young environmental leaders reminded me of the importance of youth empowerment—combining traditional knowledge with new approaches for sustainable solutions. Ultimately, COP16 affirmed that Indigenous women’s knowledge is essential to global conservation and that the work of amplifying these voices must continue. Building on COP16’s momentum, I aim to foster stronger international coalitions that advocate for policies supporting Indigenous-led conservation and community-driven solutions.
Observing the policy-making process deepened my understanding of how Indigenous advocates can navigate these spaces to make lasting impacts.
