Joint statement on synergies among the Rio Conventions issued in Belém

On the sidelines of COP 30 in Belém, the COP Presidencies of the Rio Conventions issued a joint statement recognizing the interconnected nature of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation and drought, and affirming the imperative of complementary approaches towards implementing the goals and targets relating to the three Conventions. The signatories comprised current Presidencies Brazil (UNFCCC COP 30), Colombia (CBD COP 16), and Saudi Arabia (UNCCD COP 16), as well as incoming Presidencies Armenia (CBD COP 17) and Mongolia (UNCCD COP 17).

The statement describes the institutional silos that separate national implementation efforts as impediments to the achievement of the Conventions’ interrelated objectives and, ultimately, of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Affirming the imperative of ensuring policy coherence across the biodiversity, climate and land agendas,  the statement underscores the importance of synergies in the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Land Degradation Neutrality under the UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework.

Here are three important aspects illustrating the importance of this statement:

A Party-driven rallying call for synergies

 The statement inked by the Presidencies on the sidelines of COP 30 in Brazil, the birthplace of the three Rio Conventions, concentrates political attention on  strengthening pathways for synergies in the implementation of the Rio Conventions, which could include leveraging relevant and future initiatives, as well as relevant plans dedicated to accelerating action.

Emphasis on the contributions of actors other than national governments

The statement includes a reference to engagement with non-party actors in a coordinated manner. Among other aspects, this effort would include encouraging the interoperability of reporting platforms of voluntary initiatives under the three Conventions with the aim of ensuring coherence, transparency and efficiency.

An action-oriented statement

The signatories of the statement resolve to work towards a shared workplan for 2026–a triple COP year—with the aim of ensuring that their initiatives on restoration and resilience reinforce one another and support countries in national implementation.

 

Learn more:

Visit RioConventions.org to learn more about current initiatives, integrated approaches and case studies on action leveraging synergies in action to address biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation and drought.