Some African countries regret not being heard on certain points. From Cameroon to Uganda to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, COP15 negotiators expressed disbelief at their claims of an unambitious deal. Several African countries hoped to establish dedicated biodiversity funds. not a new fund that is being opposed, but the establishment of a branch within the existing mechanism responsible for species conservation.
The role of indigenous peoples as ‘managers of biodiversity’ is recognized, but Augustin Nyamusi, Executive Director of Cameroon’s Biodiversity Conservation Programme, said “Yes, they are recognized as leading the effort, but they can hardly live right now. We should have a financial package that can handle that effort, and it’s a disappointment.”
Other criticisms concern the non-binding nature of agreements that do not ban industrial activities harmful to living species. Work is still ongoing in countries like France, where the Kunming-Montreal Agreement is primarily aimed at providing a biodiversity framework by 2030.
Despite the progress made in the Kunming-Montreal Agreement on Biodiversity adopted at COP15 on December 19, some African countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo are disappointed. Wealthy countries demanded more than the promised $30 billion a year.