Meridian’s Digital Sequence Information Team Reflects on CBD COP16

Last week, Audrey Burns, Brad Spangler, and Julian Portilla released a new Insight Post highlighting Meridian’s work on digital sequence information on genetic resources (DSI) ahead of CBD COP16 last year.

On the ground in Cali, Meridian staff helped ease tension and pressure between key negotiators through private meetings at key moments and facilitated public presentations on key ideas. The team also conducted on-the-spot research for negotiators to clarify text options, and advised the Colombian Presidency on DSI-related process matters.

The negotiations culminated in a groundbreaking agreement – Decision 16/2 – which establishes the parameters to operationalize a multilateral mechanism (MLM) and global fund (the Cali Fund) for monetary benefit-sharing from the use of DSI.

The Cali Fund presents an unprecedented opportunity for the private sector to contribute financially to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and support the goals of the CBD and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Learn more about the important role informal convenings played in the run up to the formal negotiations in Cali, Colombia where parties reached agreement on the Cali Fund.