The operationalization of the multilateral mechanism on DSI, including the Cali Fund, has started

Before COP 16 was suspended for absence of quorum, H.E. Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and COP President, gavelled significant decisions into adoption. History was made when Parties adopted decision 16/2 operationalizing the multilateral mechanism on benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI), including a global fund named the “Cali Fund”--a tribute to the city where it saw the light of day. 

A mere six weeks after that historic moment in Cali, the operationalization of the multilateral mechanism has started in earnest. The CBD Secretariat has launched substantive consultations on issues outlined in decision 16/2: 

• possible additional modalities of the multilateral mechanism, including, in the context of paragraph 7 of decision 15/9 and the annex to decision 16/2,  to take products and services into account. Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations are invited to submit their views on this issue as soon as possible but no later than 21 March 2025 through the central portal of the clearing-house mechanism using this dedicated link. 
• possible new tools and models, such as databases, for making digital sequence information on genetic resources publicly available and accessible in a transparent and accountable manner to all Parties. Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations are invited to submit their views on this issue as soon as possible but no later than 4 April 2025, through the central portal of the clearing-house mechanism using this dedicated link.
• national and international standards for the identification of small, medium and large commercial entities in relation to thresholds and contributions to the Cali Fund. Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organizations are invited to submit information on such standards and to send their views as soon as possible but no later than 18 April 2025, through the central portal of the clearing-house mechanism using this dedicated link.

The Secretariat will publish all the submissions online. In addition, a synthesis of the submissions of views on possible new tools and models and possible additional modalities of the multilateral mechanism will be submitted for consideration by the sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-6). At SBI-6, Parties will prepare recommendations on these substantive issues for consideration by COP 17. 

In addition to substantive consultations, the CBD Secretariat has triggered a procedure to seek nominations: 

• for the Steering Committee of the Multilateral Mechanism: letters of nominations should be sent by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int  by 7 February 2025.
• for the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Allocation Methodology: an official letter should be addressed to the Executive Secretary, clearly indicating the name and full contact details of each nominee, as well as curriculum vitae that demonstrates their area of expertise and experience, to be sent by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible, but no later than 7 March 2025.

In 2025, the CBD Secretariat will provide additional information on commercial entities’ contribution rates, including implications for revenue generation and economic competitiveness. The development of a review methodology of the multilateral mechanism will also be initiated.