Brussels:

Briefing

Plenary Session 25-28 November 2024

Outcome of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2024 in Cali, Colombia (COP16)

On Monday at 18:30 circa,

The Commission will present the outcome of COP16.

COP16 is anticipated to build upon the milestones achieved during COP15, focusing on the implementation and progress of the global biodiversity goals set for 2030 and beyond. The key areas of focus are:

1. Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):
   • Action Plans: Countries present their updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) aligned with the GBF.
   • Resource Mobilization: Discussions on funding mechanisms to support biodiversity initiatives, including commitments from developed nations to assist developing countries.
2. Monitoring and Reporting Mechanisms:
   • Establishing standardized methods for tracking progress toward the GBF targets.
   • Data Sharing: Enhancing transparency through regular reporting and data exchange between nations.
3. Mainstreaming Biodiversity:
   • Integrating biodiversity considerations into other sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and urban development.
   • Private Sector Engagement: Encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices and reduce their ecological footprints.
4. Digital Sequence Information (DSI):
   • Continuing negotiations on access and benefit-sharing related to genetic resources and digital data.
   • Fair Compensation: Ensuring that countries providing genetic resources receive equitable benefits.
5. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC):
   • Strengthening the role of IPLCs in biodiversity conservation.
   • Rights and Knowledge Recognition: Protecting indigenous rights and incorporating traditional knowledge into conservation strategies.
6. Addressing Emerging Threats:
   • Tackling issues like invasive species, pollution, and the impacts of climate change on biodiversity.
   • Ocean Conservation: Emphasizing marine biodiversity and protecting ocean ecosystems.
     
7. Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities:
   
   1. Recognition of the vital role of IPLCs in biodiversity conservation.
      
   2. Commitments to protect their rights and involve them in decision-making processes.
      

Presentation by the Commission President-elect of the College of Commissioners and its programme

Wednesday at 9:00
The new Commission will be elected at 12:00.

If the formalities for the candidate Commissioners are completed, Ursula von der Leyen will present the list of Commissioners and the Work Program for the next five years.

The candidate Commissioners, their titles, and assigned portfolios are as follows:

• Teresa Ribera Rodríguez - Executive Vice-President - Portfolio: Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
  
• Henna Virkkunen - Executive Vice-President - Portfolio: Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
  
• Stéphane Séjourné - Executive Vice-President - Portfolio:  Prosperity and Industrial Strategy
  
• Kaja Kallas - High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President
  
• Roxana Mînzatu - Executive Vice-Presiden - Portfolio:  People, Skills and Preparedness
  
• Raffaele Fitto - Executive Vice-President - Portfolio: for Cohesion and Reforms
  
• Maroš Šefčovič - Portfolio: Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security; Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency
  
• Valdis Dombrovskis - Portfolio: Commissioner for Economy and Productivity; Implementation and Simplification
  
• Dubravka Šuica - Portfolio: Commissioner for Mediterranean
  
• Olivér Várhelyi - Portfolio: Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare
  
• Wopke Hoekstra - Portfolio: Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth
  
• Andrius Kubilius - Portfolio: Commissioner for Defence and Space
  
• Marta Kos - Portfolio: Commissioner for Enlargement
  
• Jozef Síkela - Portfolio: Commissioner for International Partnerships
  
• Costas Kadis - Portfolio: Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans
  
• Maria Luís Albuquerque - Portfolio: Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
  
• Hadja Lahbib - Portfolio: Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Management; Equality
  
• Magnus Brunner - Portfolio: Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
  
• Jessika Roswall - Portfolio: Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
  
• Piotr Serafin - Portfolio: Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration
  
• Dan Jørgensen - Portfolio: Commissioner for Energy and Housing
  
• Ekaterina Zaharieva - Portfolio: Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
  
• Michael McGrath - Portfolio: Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, and the Rule of Law
  
• Apostolos Tzitzikostas - Portfolio: Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism
  
• Christophe Hansen - Portfolio: Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
  
• Glenn Micallef - Portfolio: Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth,