Atacama desert takes center stage at COP16 biodiversity summit

October 26, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Atacama Desert’s unique biodiversity and potential for sustainable development will be showcased at the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) Biodiversity Summit, currently underway in Cali, Colombia.

The Natural Laboratory Node of the Atacama Desert (Landata), a multi-institutional research initiative, will participate in the summit for the first time, highlighting the desert’s importance as a natural laboratory for conservation and sustainable development.

Funded by Chile’s National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), Landata brings together academic institutions, local communities, and ancestral knowledge to promote science and development in harmony with the environment.

“The Atacama Desert is one of the most arid places on Earth, yet it’s home to surprising biological diversity adapted to its extreme conditions,” said Dr. Cecilia Demergasso, Landata’s Director.

“Our participation in COP16 raises the voice of science in desert biodiversity conservation and promotes articulating scientific knowledge with local realities.”

COP16 aims to review measures and action plans for implementing the Global Framework for Biodiversity, adopted in Montreal in 2022. The conference seeks to foster international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and key decisions for protecting biological diversity.

Landata’s involvement marks a significant milestone for research nodes and Natural Laboratories in Chile, positioning the Atacama Desert as a valuable territory for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The summit continues till November 1, 2024.