Cali Fund

Source: DTE

Context: COP16 to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) secured a landmark agreement on biodiversity funding, committing $200 billion annually by 2030 to conservation efforts.

• A major outcome was the launch of the Cali Fund, ensuring fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources used in industries like pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

About Cali Fund:

• What is the Cali Fund?

• A global financial mechanism designed to ensure equitable benefit-sharing from digital genetic resources. Ensures that industries using biodiversity-based genetic data contribute financially to conservation efforts.

• A global financial mechanism designed to ensure equitable benefit-sharing from digital genetic resources.

• Ensures that industries using biodiversity-based genetic data contribute financially to conservation efforts.

• Origin & Launch:

• Proposed during CBD COP16 discussions in Cali, Colombia (2024). Officially launched at CBD COP16 in Rome (2025) as part of the biodiversity finance agreement.

• Proposed during CBD COP16 discussions in Cali, Colombia (2024).

• Officially launched at CBD COP16 in Rome (2025) as part of the biodiversity finance agreement.

• Aim of the Cali Fund:

• Compensate Indigenous communities and developing nations for their role in preserving biodiversity. Secure long-term biodiversity financing from industries benefiting from genetic resources. Support conservation initiatives and global biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• Compensate Indigenous communities and developing nations for their role in preserving biodiversity.

• Secure long-term biodiversity financing from industries benefiting from genetic resources.

• Support conservation initiatives and global biodiversity targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

• Implemented by: United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and international stakeholders.

• Key Features of the Cali Fund:

• Fair Benefit-Sharing Model: Industries using genetic data for commercial products (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture) must share profits for conservation. Support for Indigenous Communities: 50% of the Cali Fund’s resources will go to Indigenous groups, recognizing their vital role in protecting biodiversity. Long-Term Sustainable Financing: The fund will generate revenue through access-and-benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms, ensuring continuous financial support for biodiversity conservation. Global Tracking & Accountability: Governments must report biodiversity financing progress using updated KMGBF indicators. Preparation for COP17 (Armenia, 2026): The first global biodiversity finance review will assess fund utilization and impact at COP17.

• Fair Benefit-Sharing Model: Industries using genetic data for commercial products (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture) must share profits for conservation.

• Support for Indigenous Communities: 50% of the Cali Fund’s resources will go to Indigenous groups, recognizing their vital role in protecting biodiversity.

• Long-Term Sustainable Financing: The fund will generate revenue through access-and-benefit-sharing (ABS) mechanisms, ensuring continuous financial support for biodiversity conservation.

• Global Tracking & Accountability: Governments must report biodiversity financing progress using updated KMGBF indicators.

• Preparation for COP17 (Armenia, 2026): The first global biodiversity finance review will assess fund utilization and impact at COP17.