A delegation from Togo is taking part in the fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the meetings of its protocols (the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 10) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (MOP 10) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (MOP 4) to the Protocol of Nagoya on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use) which will extend from December 7 to 19, 2022 in Montreal, Canada.

This delegation is led by Dr. ATUTONU Amah, Director of Forest Resources (DRF), contact person of the CBD, accompanied by Lt-Col. AFODA Chamsoudine, Head of Standardization and Monitoring Division, Marine Biodiversity Contact Point, of the CDT-Kpidiba Kounkatonebéha, manager of protected areas, contact person for the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (APA), and of Mr. ANTHE Komi, contact person for the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (APA) and Mr. ANTHE Komi, environmental lawyer, contact person for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

Nearly 1000 negotiators from more than 190 signatory states of the CBD and its protocols are taking part in this COP. They will work for the adoption of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) that will set a series of goals and underlying targets for a “positive future for nature.” It is a new plan that aims to transform the relationship between human societies and biodiversity in order to ensure the achievement of the Convention's 2050 vision of “living in harmony with nature”. It will replace the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and its 20 Aichi Targets, which expired in 2020.

In order to facilitate the implementation of the framework, Africa is negotiating the establishment of a special fund dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and seeks to ensure that the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources are shared with the supplier states of the African continent. This involves better consideration of digital sequencing information (DSI) in the global biodiversity framework with an international mechanism for sharing the benefits resulting from the use of genetic resources. One of the strong commitments expected of African states, including Togo, is the support of the 30x30 objective of the future global biodiversity framework for the post-2020 period. This goal aims to protect 30% of land and water by 2030.

Negotiations are continuing with a high-level segment from 15 to 17 December where environment ministers from States Parties to the Convention and its protocols are expected to attend. The Secretary General of MERF, Col. DIMIZOU Koffi Aoufoh is expected in Montreal to represent Minister FOLI BAZI Katari at this high-level segment.