As COP16 unfolds with the theme Peace with Nature, leaders and experts worldwide converge in Cali, Colombia, to redefine humanity’s bond with Earth. The event serves as a pivotal platform for translating the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) into action, tackling biodiversity loss, the climate crisis, and the systemic issues that affect both. Here are 15 notable figures to follow as they shape the dialogue and action at COP16:
- Gustavo Petro
President of Colombia
President Petro’s impassioned call for a “global revolution” underscores his commitment to transforming financial and environmental structures. His address urged COP16 attendees to reimagine global systems to support equity and sustainability, placing decarbonization, financial reform, and biodiversity at the heart of this vision. Petro’s leadership advocates for equitable policies that challenge fossil fuel dependency and global wealth concentration.
- Francia Márquez
Vice President of Colombia
Vice President Márquez brings her background as an environmental activist and social leader to COP16, advocating for climate justice and Indigenous representation. Supporting Petro’s call for structural reform, Márquez highlights the essential role of inclusive approaches in achieving sustainable biodiversity outcomes, resonating with communities worldwide that are most impacted by environmental degradation.
- António Guterres
Secretary-General, United Nations
Antonio Guterres delivered a powerful message emphasizing the urgency of the GBF. “For humanity to thrive, nature must flourish,” he stated, linking environmental destruction to increased poverty, conflict, and economic loss. Guterres challenged leaders to move from words to action, stressing that sustainable development, cultural heritage, and even GDP depend on a flourishing natural world—a vision that sets a strong tone for the conference.
- Susana Muhamad González
Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, Colombia & Incoming COP16 President
As the incoming COP16 President, Minister Muhamad articulated Colombia’s aspirations for the summit: “This will be the COP of implementation.” She called for elevating biodiversity conservation alongside decarbonization, advocating for Indigenous and local communities’ voices to be central in shaping a truly inclusive approach. Her role as COP16 President signifies Colombia’s leadership in advancing global biodiversity goals.
- Astrid Schomaker
Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Astrid Schomaker underscored the urgent need for tangible action, declaring that “the future of life on our planet depends on it.” Her focus on restoring and valuing biodiversity places COP16 as a turning point to implement the GBF in a way that secures biodiversity for future generations. Schomaker’s message is a reminder that biodiversity protection is integral to sustaining all life on Earth.
- Inger Andersen
Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP)
Inger Andersen, a steadfast advocate for environmental action, emphasized that COP16 is a unique opportunity to make Peace with Nature a reality. She highlighted the criticality of turning the GBF commitments into concrete actions and reminded delegates of the immense responsibility they hold in securing biodiversity’s role in climate resilience and human health. Andersen’s leadership reinforces UNEP’s role in bridging policy and on-the-ground implementation.
- Camila Bonilla
Advocacy Intern, Business for Nature
Camila Bonilla brings a unique journalistic perspective to COP16, blending her expertise in environmental reporting with a keen understanding of social, economic, and political dynamics that impact climate action. Before joining Business for Nature, she reported for El Espectador, Colombia’s oldest national newspaper, focusing on energy transition and biodiversity loss. Now pursuing her Master’s in Conflicts, Development, and Human Rights at Universidad de Granada, Bonilla offers insights that strengthen the link between media coverage and public awareness around biodiversity. Her journey from Colombia to Spain highlights the interconnectedness of local and global environmental challenges.
- Dilian Francisca Toro
Governor of Valle del Cauca, Colombia
Governor Toro brings a regional perspective to the COP16 dialogue, representing one of Colombia’s most biodiverse areas. Her commitment to preserving cultural and biological diversity emphasizes the critical role of local governments in implementing biodiversity goals. Toro’s vision reflects the need for shared environmental responsibility across governmental levels.
- Álvaro Alejandro Eder Garcés
Mayor of Cali, Colombia
Labeling COP16 the “COP of reconciliation,” Mayor Eder Garcés advocates for unity in tackling climate and biodiversity issues. His focus on social justice, well-being, and environmental harmony reflects Cali’s commitment to fostering collaboration and understanding in climate action, reinforcing the summit’s core message of achieving peace with nature.
- Pippa Howard
Chief Nature Strategy Officer, NatureMetrics
Pippa Howard’s work with NatureMetrics centers on advancing biodiversity metrics, providing a framework for tracking nature’s health. At COP16, Howard contributes her expertise in setting robust nature impact assessments, ensuring that conservation efforts are grounded in reliable data. Her role highlights the importance of measurable biodiversity actions within the GBF.
- Joe Huddart, PhD
Biodiversity Solutions Engineer, NatureMetrics
Dr. Joe Huddart brings technical knowledge to the implementation of biodiversity solutions at COP16. His focus on biodiversity data and conservation planning ensures that policies are backed by scientific rigor. Huddart’s work is instrumental in translating the GBF into actionable metrics that support meaningful biodiversity conservation.
- Nubia Carolina Córdoba Curí
Governor of Chocó, Colombia
Governor Córdoba Curí represents Chocó, a region celebrated for its rich biodiversity. Her advocacy underscores the critical role that local and Indigenous knowledge play in safeguarding environmental heritage. At COP16, Córdoba Curí highlights the value of integrating regional expertise into the global framework, strengthening biodiversity preservation across diverse ecosystems.
13. Pallavi Kalita
Asia Lead, Business for Nature
Pallavi Kalita is the Asia Lead for Business for Nature, where she champions sustainable business practices and promotes policies that align economic growth with environmental conservation across Asia. Before joining Business for Nature, Pallavi built a robust foundation in international trade policy, working with the Delegation of the European Union to India on research and advocacy initiatives. She also served as a Trade Policy Advisor to the British High Commission in New Delhi, focusing on strategic trade issues. Additionally, Pallavi’s experience includes research roles with leading Indian think tanks, such as the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER) and the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER). She holds a Master’s in Economics from the University of Warwick, UK.
14. Michael Ofosuhene-Wise
Business Action Senior Manager, Business for Nature
Based in Ghana, Ofosuhene-Wise has extensive experience with the WBCSD in helping companies measure and value their impact on nature. His expertise brings African perspectives on corporate responsibility to COP16, aligning business interests with biodiversity goals.
15. Aisyah Firoz
Advocacy Lead, Business for Nature
Firoz brings expertise in anti-plastic waste initiatives from her tenure at the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, where she advanced environmental advocacy efforts. At COP16, she focuses on integrating robust engagement strategies to end plastic pollution.
COP16 Highlights: Climate Insider Notes
- The Peace with Nature theme is driving ambitious commitments to elevate biodiversity as a core pillar of sustainable development.
- COP16 leaders, led by Colombian officials, emphasize implementation of the Kunming-Montreal GBF to address both biodiversity loss and climate challenges.
- António Guterres and Astrid Schomaker stress the urgency of concrete action, linking biodiversity health to economic, social, and environmental resilience.
- Inger Andersen and UNEP are underscoring the importance of turning commitments into ground-level action to achieve long-term biodiversity and climate goals.
- With local perspectives from Colombian governors and mayors, COP16 emphasizes the necessity of grassroots involvement for impactful global outcomes.
As COP16 progresses, the world’s attention remains on these leaders to see how they translate the vision of Peace with Nature into tangible action, setting a precedent for future biodiversity and climate summits.
