Dear GWP friends and colleagues,

We are excited to share with you events in partnership with the Global Wildlife Program at the Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16) in Cali, Colombia. These gatherings are designed to spark collaboration, inspire action, and showcase innovative solutions aligned with global priorities.

Whether you're joining us in person or following along remotely, we have something for everyone. Don’t miss the chance to:

• Connect with leading experts and changemakers
• Explore new ideas for tackling evolving challenges
• Discover insights shaping the future of biodiversity conservation

Stay up to date with the GWP and COP 16 in several ways:

• See below for links to events in partnership with the GWP at the GEF, Multilateral Development Bank, Nature Positive and Brazil pavilions.
• GWP is supporting 30x30 Action Day on October 29th with French and Spanish interpretation in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework pavilion.
• Visit the World Bank Group COP 16 page to see how the Bank is making an impact for biodiversity.
• Follow @WBG_Environment on X for news and updates.

Thank you,

The GWP Coordination Team

gwp-info@worldbank.org

Big cats are drivers and indicators of biodiversity and healthy ecosystems.Their vast landscapes store huge amounts of carbon, deliver a wide range of ecosystem services, and provide critical buffers between people and wild animals that could help prevent the next global pandemic.

This event will showcase initiatives from across cat range that demonstrate how sustainably financed conservation action for big cats and their landscapes can help Parties achieve measurable progress toward the GBF goals and targets, mitigate climate change, and improve well-being for people around the world, particularly indigenous people and local communities, women and youth.

The Global Wildlife Program has delivered results for wildlife and development, yet new challenges have emerged. Increasing habitat fragmentation and encroachment heighten the risk of human-wildlife conflict, while land use change and wildlife trade can elevate zoonotic spillover potential.

The GWP is applying behavior change as part of a holistic package of measures to reduce unsustainable trade, promote human-wildlife coexistence, and build nature-based economies. Join GWP countries and partners for a discussion on these solutions and the evolution of GWP. 

Human-wildlife conflict is an increasing development challenge and a major threat to big cats, elephants and other threatened species. Achieving coexistence, in line with Target 4 of the GBF, starts with people.

This event will showcase how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are increasing the value of living with wildlife while reducing the costs. Diverse case studies will illustrate how landscape approaches and community-led conservation work together to recover iconic species, deliver local development outcomes, and promote coexistence between people and wildlife.

In partnership with the GEF-financed, World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program, Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, Panthera, TRAFFIC, UNDP, Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF, and Zoological Society of London.

Join us for an insightful session exploring the intersection of technology and nature conservation. This event will discuss a range of technologies that can be used to support the implementation of the GBF, from digital monitoring, reporting and verification, to AI, to camera traps and drones.

Featuring a diverse lineup of speakers, this event aims to showcase how technology and AI can drive meaningful change in nature conservation on a global scale. The discussion will share insights on how technology is shaping the future of biodiversity conservation and how countries can bridge capacity gaps to ensure effective and inclusive adoption.

In partnership with WILDLABS and the GEF-financed, World Bank-led Global Wildlife Program.