In an exciting and symbolic moment, Colombia, the host country of the 16th United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), unveiled the official logo for the event on 28 February 2024. The event took place during the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in Nairobi, Kenya.
The logo itself, inspired by the Inírida flower, a species endemic to Colombia, and carefully designed to embody the spirit of COP16 and Colombia’s rich biodiversity, captivated onlookers with its vibrant colours and intricate design. It served not only as a visual representation of the conference, but also as a powerful symbol of hope and commitment to protecting our planet’s precious ecosystems.
The 23 petals at the heart of the logo design represent each of the 23 targets set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted at COP15 in Montreal, Canada. These goals serve as guiding principles for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, outlining specific actions and targets to be achieved within set timeframes.
The image also represents Colombia’s 13 priority ecoregions in the national development plan. Making “peace with nature” is the message of COP16 in Colombia, a call for reflection to improve our relationship with the environment and rethink an economic model that does not favour the extraction, over-exploitation and pollution of nature.
Colombia, the eventual host of COP16
In the context of the global environmental agenda, the launch of the COP16 logo marked a significant step forward in the collective effort to address biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Colombia was designated host country for this COP after Turkey withdrew its bid following the earthquakes that severely affected the country in 2023. With its remarkable biodiversity and commitment to environmental management, Colombia was the ideal host for COP16, scheduled for October 2024. The unveiling of the logo underlined the country’s commitment to driving positive change on the world stage.
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As the world awaits COP16, scheduled for 21 October to 1 November 2024, the launch of the logo serves as a reminder of the urgency and importance of the discussions and decisions ahead. With the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework for Biodiversity at COP15 in Canada just over a year ago, COP16 promises to build on this momentum and define global action for nature by 2030.
Boris Ngounou