Hon. Minister for MESTI Participated in Ministerial Debriefing at CBD COP 16 in Cali, Colombia

The Honorable Minister for Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI), Ophelia Mensah Hayford, participated in the Ministerial Debriefing for African Ministers at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held in Cali, Colombia. The debriefing brought together African ministers to review progress, share challenges, and discuss collaborative strategies to advance biodiversity conservation across the continent.

Representing Ghana, Hon. Mensah Hayford engaged in discussions on sustainable resource management, conservation financing, and the need to balance biodiversity protection with socio-economic development. In her address, she highlighted Ghana’s dedication to the CBD’s goals and its commitment to biodiversity strategies that protect natural resources while empowering communities.

“Africa’s biodiversity is one of our greatest assets, essential not only for environmental health but also for economic resilience,” Hon. Mensah Hayford emphasized. “We must prioritize policies that conserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and promote sustainable development to secure our ecosystems for future generations.”

The Ministerial Debriefing allowed African leaders to align their approaches and reaffirm their commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Hon. Mensah Hayford reiterated Ghana’s focus on collaborative partnerships, community-led conservation, and innovative financing to meet key targets, including protecting 30% of terrestrial and marine areas by 2030, restoring degraded ecosystems, and halting biodiversity loss.

During the session, African ministers discussed shared challenges, such as the impacts of climate change, habitat degradation, and limited resources. Hon. Mensah Hayford advocated for increased international support, stressing that mobilizing resources for biodiversity is critical for Africa’s ecological stability and development.

The Hon. Minister’s participation reinforced Ghana’s commitment to global biodiversity efforts and highlighted MESTI’s role in protecting the environment. Her involvement underscored Ghana’s pledge to contribute actively to the conservation goals outlined in the CBD and affirmed MESTI’s dedication to advancing these goals nationally and regionally.

Outcomes from COP 16 will inform national and regional biodiversity policies, shaping a future where nature and development coexist sustainably. MESTI remains committed to championing initiatives that protect Ghana’s biodiversity, promote climate resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods.