ECO 70(3) - Wednesday, 23 October

Precaution and integrity at stake in the guidance materials on risk assessment of LMOs containing engineered gene drives

Eva Sirinathsinghji, Third World Network - Living modified organisms containing engineered gene drives (EGD-LMOs) are a new form of genetic engineering (GE) application that raises a host of concerns spanning biosafety, socio-economic, ethical and cultural dimensions due to their explicit design intention of spread and persistence. Compounding these concerns is the inability to recall or reverse a gene drive release if the technology goes awry.

Donā€™t let big banks write our laws on biodiversity & finance

Tom Picken, RAN - While resource mobilization and reforms to the financial mechanism of the GBF are critical, so too is the need to stop big business and banks from writing COP16 decision text. The decisions reached here in Cali are supposed to deliver on the objectives of the GBF. It is not supposed to be a business opportunity to perpetuate financial sector impunity from biodiversity destruction and related human rights abuses.

A purpose-oriented, multi-stakeholder and multi-evidence-based biodiversity global review

Juliette Landry, IDDRI - The GBF and the multidimensional approach for planning, monitoring, reporting and review adopted at COP15 marks a significant step to close the ā€œimplementation gapā€ by enhancing the coherence between international ambitions and national efforts. Review mechanisms give the global community the tools to measure and track progress and course correct as needed before the 2030 deadline, thereby reinforcing accountability and enhancing global biodiversity governance. A review with purpose: more than just tracking progress

Debt and tax justice required for KMGBF implementation

Biodiversity Capital Research Collective - Amidst all the debate about how to raise money for KMGBF implementation, some crucial flows of finance risk being left off the table. According to research by Tax Justice Network, countries are losing $480 billion USD per year due to global tax abuse. IMF research finds another $44 billion USD is being left on the table by under-taxing extractive sectors ā€“ the exact sectors who should be contributing their fair share to KMGBF implementation.