The Alliance at COP16: Cali hosts landmark biodiversity conference

Scientific collaboration and innovation informed the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties in Cali, Colombia, October 2024.

Cali is still humming with purpose after 15 days of intense discussions on the future of biodiversity. For two weeks, the streets teemed with diplomats, scientists, and advocates from all corners of the world, each making their way to the 16th UN Convention on Biological Diversity Conference of the Parties (COP16).

This landmark event sprawled across the city in two parts. First, a dynamic Green Zone, with around 350,000 m² open to the public, was packed with exhibits, panel discussions, and interactive experiences that invited people from diverse backgrounds to be part of pressing environmental topics. Complementing this was the Blue Zone, where 23,000 registered policymakers, scientists, and global leaders convened to negotiate solutions to biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development.