The second part of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) will be held in Montreal in Canada rather than in Kunming, China, it has been confirmed this week.

COP15 began in Kunming as a virtual event last October but the latter section of the conference has been repeatedly delayed due to Covid-19. It is now confirmed talks will resume in Montreal between 5 and 17 December.

It is expected the negotiations will see parties make the final decision on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF), and on capacity building and resource mobilisation. 

According to the World Economic Forum, the GBF is due to set 21 targets and 10 milestones for governments to meet by 2030, including “protecting a minimum of 30% of the world’s oceans and land, reducing pesticide use by at least two-thirds, eliminating plastic waste, and increasing financial resources dedicated to biodiversity to at least $200bn annually.”

China will continue in its role as president of COP15. Huang Runqiu, China’s minister of ecology and environment, who is continuing as COP15 chair, said: “China would like to emphasise its continued strong commitment, as COP president, to work with all parties and stakeholders to ensure the success of the second part of COP15, including the adoption of an effective post-2020 GBF, and to promote its delivery throughout its presidency.”