The Cali Fund, launched on February 25, 2025 in Rome, is a groundbreaking initiative under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), aimed at ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources.
Key Highlights of the Cali Fund
- Established at COP 16 of the CBD (November 2024) in Cali, Colombia
- Funded by private sector contributions from entities using DSI for commercial purposes
- 50% of resources allocated to Indigenous peoples & local communities (including women & youth)
- Supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)
- Strengthens National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
Why is the Cali Fund Important?
- Bridges biodiversity funding gaps for developing countries
- Boosts scientific research & innovation in biodiversity conservation
- Ensures equitable distribution of benefits from genetic resources
The fund is part of a larger Multilateral Mechanism adopted at COP 15 (2022) and is designed to adapt to future scientific innovations while maintaining an inclusive and transparent governance model.
(Source: UNEP)
