Indigenous leaders express optimism after reinitiation of United Nations discussions on biodiversity in Rome

The 16th United Nations conference (COP16) on biodiversity concluded in Rome on February 28, 2025, after three days of intense negotiations. One of the key outcomes of the conference was the establishment of the Cali Fund, a new initiative aimed at ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources.

The Cali Fund, officially named the "Cali Fund for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources (DSI)," was established at COP16 in Rome. This fund, estimated to generate US$1 billion annually, will allocate half of its funds to Indigenous peoples and local communities for projects they identify.

The establishment of the Cali Fund comes at a crucial time, as the question of whether the multi-billion-dollar biodiversity goals can be reached by 2030 remains murky. COP16 delegates approved language that companies profiting from nature's genetics "should" contribute to the Cali Fund, which is controlled by the United Nations.

Industry sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotech, and cosmetics, have been using open-source genetic databases for free, generating profits from new products. One such example is Moderna, a US pharma giant, which used DSI from hundreds of respiratory viruses to quickly develop its Covid-19 vaccine, generating billions in sales over the last three years.

The Cali Fund will receive contributions from industries such as pharmaceuticals and bio-agriculture. Marcos Neto, UN assistant general secretary, stated that the success of the Cali Fund is critical for providing finance to people on the ground who are the custodians for species and genetic diversity.

The Cali Fund financially supports indigenous peoples and communities, particularly focusing on those who are victims of war, displacement, and exploitation. However, specific indigenous groups funded by this Cali Fund are not detailed in the available search results.

At COP16, a working group on Indigenous issues was established, signaling the empowerment of Indigenous people in the biodiversity conservation process. Indigenous leader Figueroa expressed optimism after COP16, stating there is evidence of the contribution of Indigenous peoples to the conservation of biodiversity.

Eva Zabey, CEO of the NGO Business for Nature, urged governments to establish practical frameworks to ensure the funds work effectively and benefit Indigenous peoples and local communities. She emphasised the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of funds.

The Cali session, which was presided over by COP16 President Susana Muhamad, Colombia's former environmental minister, was forced to close prematurely last fall due to incomplete decisions on international finance targets. Despite this setback, the establishment of the Cali Fund offers a glimmer of hope for a more equitable distribution of benefits from the use of genetic resources.

This story was published with permission from Mongabay.com.