The Earth’s land and the ocean serve as natural carbon sinks, absorbing large amounts of greenhouse gas emissions. Conserving and restoring natural spaces, and the biodiversity they contain, is essential for limiting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate impacts.Countries will meet at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, to accelerate action under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the biodiversity plan reached in 2022.

The Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, is expected to focus on finance, as trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change. The conference is also a key moment for countries to present their updated national climate action plans under the Paris agreement, which must limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and spur investment in the Sustainable Development Goals.

This UN Conference will be a critical milestone in advancing global efforts to combat land degradation, desertification and drought, and promote sustainable development. Under the theme “Our Land. Our Future,” the conference will convene 196 countries and the European Union along with experts and civil society to promote urgent action. It is expected to be the largest and most ambitious summit on land and drought resilience, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.