The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties decided that the resumed sessions of the 2nd part of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of Parties 15 (COP15), the 10th Meeting of Parties on the Cartagena Protocol (CP-MOP 10), and the 4th Meeting of Parties on the Nagoya Protocol (NP-MOP 4) should be convened on 19-20 October 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya, immediately after the 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 25). The meeting drew over700 delegates from all continents including African government representatives, civil society, and other stakeholder groups.

Concerning SBSTTA, the meeting covered various aspects of implementation including the monitoring frameworks, mechanisms for planning and review, scientific and technical needs, and plant conservation. Discussions also addressed the implications of the assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6) on GBF implementation and the Convention’s work programme. Concerning the COP/MOP meeting, delegates mainly addressed procedural issues, including election of officers, other matters, the adoption of second part of CBD COP 15 report, and closure of CBD COP 15.

Comoros being the country that currently chairs the African Union, the Delegate from Comoros, Mr.Abdouchakour Mohamed Abderemane made a statement on behalf of Africa during the closing ceremony. He expressed Africa’s gratitude for the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the tremendous support made so far in its implementation, of particular note, the establishment of the advisory committee on resource mobilization. All these concerns were raised by the continent at the first part of COP 15 in Montreal in December 2022. “Africa notes the need to continue reflections on the establishment of a special fund dedicated to Biodiversity under the authority of the Convention in order to enable the Secretariat to better assume its responsibilities in terms of supporting the various subsidiary bodies and to provide access to sustainable financing for Parties to achieve the three objectives of the convention”, he added.

The African Union Commission, together with AUDA-NEPAD served as a Secretariat to the African Group of Negotiators (AGN) and organized daily meetings for the AGN for updates and strategy planning. They also provided technical and drafting support to the AGN, as subject matter specialists and provide technical support to the AGN in key bilaterals.

Adequate representation of the AGN was ensured in all meetings/processes to successfully advocate for, and safeguard Africa’s interests of STI for socio-economic development. The Africa delegates strived to make sure decisions reflected support for R&D, technology transfer, capacity building, and technical cooperation with respect to emerging technologies. They also made sure Biosafety Target had language that was conducive to the safe harnessing of modern biotech and emerging technologies as per the African Union’s Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1, which envisions “a prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development, and Goal Number 5, which targets “Modern agriculture for increased productivity and production.”.