Deputy Minister N Singh: South Africa’s statement on Agenda 11 - resource mobilisation and financial mechanism at the second resumed session of COP16 On Biological Diversity in Rome, Italy

25 February 2025, Rome, Italy

Madame President,

I rise to support the statement read by Brazil on behalf of the BRICS countries and the Group of Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries. We have participated actively in the crafting of the respective statements.

In the same vein, we support the statement read by the representative of Zimbabwe on behalf of the African countries.

We would like to express our appreciation to our hosts for creating another opportunity for us to conclude the work of COP 16, which began in Cali, Colombia. We are confident and hopeful that this meeting will be productive, and we reiterate our commitment to negotiate in good faith towards an outcome that is favourable to developing and megadiverse countries, which host much of the world’s biodiversity.

South Africa, along with the African Group of Negotiators on Biodiversity, believes that decisions regarding the Mechanisms for Planning, Monitoring, Reporting, and Review; the Monitoring Framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF); Resource Mobilization; and the Financial Mechanism should be considered as a package and adopted together.

Consequently, South Africa will evaluate its support for the adoption of the pending decisions based on agreement on resource mobilization and the financial mechanism. We regret the divergent views on establishing a dedicated financial mechanism for the Convention. We reiterate our position that a long-term global finance mechanism, in accordance with Article 21, must be established at this COP.

The establishment of such a mechanism should be supported by an intersessional process to define the criteria, modalities, terms of reference, governance, operational arrangements, monitoring and evaluation, as well as the review of effectiveness, among other aspects.

Madame Chair, we have been discussing these matters for over three decades, yet biodiversity loss continues to threaten nature’s contributions to humanity. Indecision on critical issues with significant socio-economic and ecological implications is unacceptable.

We must avoid perpetual interim arrangements, which undermine the spirit and intent of this Convention. The time has come for this Convention, in line with Article 39, to decide which institutional structure will be designated in accordance with Article 21. Article 39 designates the Global Environment Facility as the interim institutional structure until the Conference of the Parties decides on a permanent structure in line with Article 21. Madam Chair, we can no longer delay this decision. We are not against any existing financial instruments, including the GEF, they can continue to play a complementary role in closing the biodiversity finance gap.

Our message is straightforward: let us decide at this COP 16.2 to establish a dedicated financial mechanism, commission an intersessional process to define the modalities, and finally decide on the global coordinating entity. This coordinating role can be fulfilled by any financial instrument that meets the criteria defined during the intersessional period.

From South Africa’s perspective, it is extremely important that the funding architecture, whether existing or new, adheres to the criteria, modalities, and terms of reference adopted by the COP. South Africa is hopeful that a compromise can be reached by the Parties through transparent engagements conducted in good faith.

I thank you.

For media enquiries, please contact

Peter Mbelengwa   
Mobile: 082 611 8197  
E-mail:  pmbelengwa@dffe.gov.za