BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:unctad.org BEGIN:VEVENT UID:6a7291fa4c46f DTSTART:20250128T133000Z SEQUENCE:0 TRANSP:OPAQUE DTEND:20250128T160000Z LOCATION:Online and Geneva\, Switzerland SUMMARY:Briefing on achieving biodiversity goals through trade CLASS:PUBLIC DESCRIPTION:Building on progress made at UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) Today\, more than 4.3 billion people — over half the world’s populat ion — depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods. Moreover\, 80 per c ent of the world’s poor and vulnerable\, most of whom live in rural area s\, directly rely on biodiversity for survival. However\, up to 40 per ce nt of the world’s land is degraded\, and biodiversity loss is accelerati ng\, with projections showing this decline will continue through 2050.  T he 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Divers ity (CBD COP16)\, held in Cali\, Colombia\, from 21 October to 1 November 2024\, marked a pivotal moment in global efforts to address biodiversity l oss. The conference centred on advancing the implementation of the Kunmin g-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)\, a comprehensive plan to halt biodiversity loss and protect ecosystems including conserving 30% of land and oceans by 2030.COP16 focused on how to mobilize resources to sup port biodiversity conservation for developing countries\, foster capacity building\, technology transfer\, support Indigenous Peoples and Local Comm unities\, and address challenges like climate change\, ecosystem restorati on\, and marine biodiversity protection.While international trade has ofte n been associated with environmental degradation\, it also offers immense potential for conservation. With 55 per cent of global GDP — around USD $58 trillion — directly dependent on nature\, trade policies must align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt biodiversi ty loss\, restore ecosystems\, and support sustainable development.One of the highlights of the conference was the inaugural "\;Trade Day"\ ; co-organized by UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)\, the World Trade Org anization (WTO) and the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretari ats and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)\, in collaboration wit h other partners on 26 October 2024. This thematic event spotlighted the t ransformative role sustainable trade can play in biodiversity conservation . It facilitated and advanced discussions among negotiators and stakeholde rs on best practices and solutions for trade and trade-related policies to address biodiversity loss and implement the goals and targets of the KMGB F to foster inclusive social development\, its impact on terrestrial and a quatic ecosystems\, including its ability to drive innovation and speciali zed markets.For over 25 yearsOne of the global programmes implemented by U NCTAD under the BioTrade Initiative has been the Global BioTrade Facilita tion Programme: Linking trade\, biodiversity and sustainable development  supported by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. This six-year programme\, which will come to an end\, has provided countries wi th the tools to balance economic growth with biodiversity conservation. B etween 2003 and 2023\, BioTrade sales surged from $40 million to nearly $4 0 billion\, a testament to the growing market for sustainable products.   ObjectiveCo-hosted by the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the G eneva Environment Network (GEN)\, this event builds on the outcomes of the CBD COP16 and offers a platform to explore opportunities for further coll aboration in fostering sustainable trade within the KMGBF.The Briefing wil l focus on “Achieving Biodiversity Goals Through Trade\,” providing up dates on the key outcomes of COP16 and exploring how trade can support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It will also high light opportunities for collaboration to promote sustainable trade\, biodi versity conservation\, and equitable development.This event is part of a s eries of activities organised by UNCTAD and partners towards the closure o f the Global BioTrade Facilitation Programme: Linking trade\, biodiversit y and sustainable development launched in 2018 with the support of the Sw iss Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.Target audienceAll Member States and members of International OrganizationsCBD COP16 DelegatesGovernment a gencies/policy makers working in the areas of trade\, environment\, biodiv ersity\, and development.  Experts and practitioners in the areas of trad e\, environment\, biodiversity and developmentUnited Nations agencies\, NG Os\, development agencies and other international organization working on biodiversity\, sustainable development\, climate change\, and trade projec ts.BioTrade and biodiversity-based companies\, entrepreneurs and start-ups .Cooperatives\, social enterprises and associationsBusiness associations\, chambers of commerce and trade associationsIndigenous peoples’ associat ions\, cooperatives and local communities and relevant constituenciesAcade miaParticipationThe briefing is open to all member States of UNCTAD\, spec ialized agencies and intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organiz ations. For those that are not able to attend in person\, the meeting will be broadcasted via live streaming.Join the live streamRegistrationRegistr ation should be completed online.https://unctad.org/project/global-biotrad e-facilitation-programme-linking-trade-biodiversity-and-sustainable\n\nVie w meeting on unctad.org\nhttps://unctad.org/node/47706 DTSTAMP:20260805T012930Z END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR