Deputy Director-General F Mokgohloa: South Africa’s statement on resource mobilisation and finance mechanisms at the United Nations CBD CoP16

22 October 2024, Cali, Colombia

Thank you, Chair.

This statement will cover Item 11a and Item 11b and supports the statement delivered by Zimbabwe on behalf of Africa.

Domestically, South Africa as a megadiverse country, has heightened its efforts and is doing the best within her means to implement the CBD and its Protocols. Public expenditure constitutes the biggest spending on biodiversity and the public sector continues to enhance efforts to increase spending on biodiversity. We remain resolute in our commitment to meet the goals and targets of the KMGBF, which we have domesticated in our country’s policies and strategies. We have adopted an active whole of society and the whole of government approach in the process of updating our NBSAPs, and further hope to raise more resources domestically working with all stakeholders.

We recognise however, that international cooperation is fundamental, as emphasised in Article 20(4) of the Convention, which highlights that developing countries’ ability to fulfill their commitments depends on developed countries meeting their obligations regarding financial resources and technology transfer.

The financial gap between funds needed to meet the objective of the GBF and what has been deposited thus far is deeply concerning to say the least. We understand that, only USD 480 million/year is allocated to biodiversity in GEF 8 and that to date only six donors have contributed just over USD 200 million to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund and to quote Para 23 of CBD 16-07-en that ‘Moreover, despite an encouraging contribution from one donor (Canada) in August 2023, other contributions have been few and generally small’.

Madam Chair, we have noted several limitations in the GEF review, and this is not the first time that convince us that this current financial mechanism that was established on an interim basis in line with article 39; is not well positioned from a governance and finance perspective to commensurately meet the ambition in the KMGBF.

After 34 years that GEF was designated as a financial mechanism for the Convention and 2 years of the establishment of the GBFF under GEF, it is very clear that this financial mechanism will not meet the ambition.

Madam Chair, we again reiterate that, in order to fulfil the overriding priorities of economic and social development, and eradication of poverty, developing countries need a predictable, appropriate and at-scale funding stream and technological support from developed countries. For the fulfilment of the full implementation of Article 21 we will continue to call, without prejudice, for a dedicated global biodiversity fund under the authority of the COP. Such a fund would be designed in an inclusive manner and would be innovative to elevate biodiversity in the overall environmental finance landscape. This should include or be complemented by reforms of international financial architecture to meet the needs of developing countries for sustainable development.

South Africa remains committed to the spirit and intent of multilateralism. Working together, the future can only be better.

Thank you
Madam Chair,

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