Latin America and the Caribbean at COP 16 - Colombia

INCLUSION

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CAF, through its Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity Department, promotes key actions to encourage the participation of Indigenous women and Afro-descendant communities in the most important international forums. During the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Cali, Colombia, CAF will contribute to organizing a preparatory meeting for Indigenous women. This space will allow participants to analyze the progress made in implementing the Kunming – Montreal Global Framework, with a focus on Target 22, which aims to ensure the full, equitable, and effective participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity-related decisions, as well as their access to justice and information.

As a result of this preparatory meeting, Indigenous women will share their proposals in a side event within the blue zone of COP16, organized by CAF. Supporting the participation of Indigenous women in these major discussions is essential to ensure that their voices are heard, and their knowledge and perspectives are integrated into global policies that affect their lives and those of their communities.

Similarly, CAF's Diversity Coordination will play a key role in raising the visibility of Afro-descendant communities during COP16. This participation aims to strengthen their presence in discussions on climate change and sustainable development, reinforcing CAF’s commitment to institutionalizing the region's Afro-descendant populations within these spaces. The creation of a permanent liaison point with CAF will allow these communities to actively influence international policies, promoting the inclusion of their interests in future decision-making.

Through these initiatives, CAF reaffirms its commitment to equity, inclusion, and climate justice, highlighting the importance of integrating the perspectives and solutions of Afro-descendant communities into the global agenda to address environmental challenges.