In 2017, a multidisciplinary group of 106 Colombian experts, including Indigenous and local knowledge holders, began working on Colombia’s National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA). This comprehensive effort, managed by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, aimed to synthesize knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystem services and their interconnections with society. Launched in 2022, the NEA provides valuable insights for policymakers, national and regional actors and communities, helping to guide environmental planning and decision-making. Supported by UNEP-WCMC’s NEA Initiative, UNDP, UNESCO and international partners, this work plays a crucial role in Colombia’s biodiversity conservation efforts.

Event Overview

As part of the activities during COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Colombia’s NEA will be showcased in a side event from 23 to 25 October 2024 at the Humboldt House in Cali. This event will convene experts, policymakers and stakeholders to explore the key findings of the assessment and their implications for biodiversity and ecosystem services in Colombia. Attendees will gain insights into the NEA’s innovative whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach, with a special focus on integrating Indigenous and local knowledge into policy.

Objectives

• Gain insights from experts on Colombia’s biodiversity, ecosystem services and biocultural diversity and understand the main drivers of biodiversity loss.
• Learn about the process behind Colombia’s NEA, including the implementation of a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach.
• Explore the challenges of bridging the gap between science and policymaking.
• Understand how the NEA Initiative supports countries in conducting ecosystem assessments to inform decision-making processes.