Over the past two decades, ICLEI, through its Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC), has collaborated closely with the United Nations Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Biodiversity COP host countries and cities, and its key partners, such as Regions4 and UNEP, to elevate the voice of local and subnational governments at the Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP), ensuring that strong action is taken to create vibrant cities and regions, where people and biodiversity can thrive.

This collaboration has not only resulted in global summits for the local and subnational government constituency, as official parallel events at the COPs, but also a seat and voice in the negotiations. This has led to the adoption of more than 20 Decisions recognizing cities and regions contributions to the CBD and global biodiversity targets, including a dedicated Decision providing for a multilevel governance mechanism and plan of action on engaging subnational governments and cities.

ICLEI has since 2008 co-hosted successive Summits together with the CBD Secretariat, host cities and countries, Regions4 and its partners as official parallel events to CBD COPs, and will be co-hosting and convening the 8th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities with its partners. These Summits are strategic events and the outcomes of the 7th Summit can be viewed here.

In announcing Cali as COP host city, the President of Colombia declared that this COP would be the COP of the people and of making peace with nature. Cali is located in one of the most megadiverse regions globally. Making peace with nature, justice, equity and addressing social and economic benefits of biodiversity are top priorities for Cali.

Regional and city governments are best placed to understand and act upon the opportunities and constraints for systemic change. It is therefore important that their voices and insights are heard on international platforms that are focused on issues of global significance.

The one day Summit is held as an official parallel high-level event to COP16 and will include a ceremonial opening and closing session; high-level dialogue among ministers, governors, mayors, business champions, heads of MDBs and other key stakeholders focusing on implementation progress and resource mobilization in line with the COP 16 priority areas; and a series of announcements and launches of strategic new initiatives and programs.

The Summit will align with the objectives and priorities of CBD COP16 to showcase subnational biodiversity actions and collaboration at the local and territorial scale, in contributing to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Plan of Action under Decision 15/12.

Local and subnational government leaders from around the world, together with their key stakeholders, are invited to participate in targeted and high-level dialogues on implementation progress and the important issue of leveraging financing for, and investment in, biodiversity and nature at the local and territorial scale.