MEP César Luena, on behalf of the S&D Group, has tabled a parliamentary question to the European Commission urging clarity on the operationalisation of the Cali Fund, established at COP16 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity to share benefits from digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources. The question, submitted on 15 April 2026, targets the fund's uncertain financing, voluntary contributions, and unresolved governance, which risk undermining the Global Biodiversity Framework targets. The fund is intended to mobilise resources for biodiversity protection, particularly in developing countries, but stakeholders—including EU biodiversity-dependent industries and developing nations—face uncertainty over financial obligations and benefit-sharing mechanisms.
The question asks the Commission how it intends to maintain political momentum ahead of COP17, ensure adequate and predictable financing (including private sector contributions), and clarify governance for a fair and transparent benefit-sharing system. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks, by late May 2026, signalling its policy direction on biodiversity finance and DSI governance.
Policy orientation and ambition The S&D Group's question reflects a push for stronger EU leadership on biodiversity finance, advocating for mandatory contributions and robust governance to ensure the fund's credibility. It implicitly challenges the current voluntary approach, which the MEPs argue is insufficient. The question does not propose specific numerical targets but calls for 'adequate, predictable and sustainable financing', indicating a preference for binding commitments.
Expected follow-up The Commission's response will clarify whether the EU will champion mandatory private sector contributions or maintain a voluntary framework, and how it plans to resolve governance disputes ahead of COP17. This will be a key signal for biodiversity stakeholders and developing countries relying on the fund.
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