In November 2025 at UNFCCC COP30 in Belém, the Presidencies of UNFCCC COP30, CBD COP16 and COP17 and UNCCD COP16 and COP17 adopted the Belém Joint Statement on the Rio Conventions, setting out a blueprint to align initiatives, engage non state actors and support countries in delivering national commitments more coherently across the three Conventions.
In November 2023, the Presidencies of the three Rio convention COPs (China, Côte d’Ivoire and Egypt) issued a joint statement ahead of UNFCCC COP 28 in which they called for a coordinated approach both at international and national levels to tackle these issues in a holistic way, urging greater cooperation between the three COPs and their secretariats.
In June 2024, the UNFCCC COP 28 and UNFCCC COP 30 Presidencies, the CBD COP 15 and CBD COP 16 Presidencies, the UNCCD COP 15 Presidency and chairs of diverse partnerships, initiatives and coalitions affirmed in a joint statement that there is no path to fully achieving the near-term and long-term goals of the Paris Agreement or the 2030 goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) without addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation together in a coherent, synergetic and holistic manner, in accordance with the best available science.
The Rio Trio Initiative united Azerbaijan (COP29 UNFCCC), Colombia (CBD COP16) and Saudi Arabia (UNCCD COP16) in a groundbreaking effort to integrate climate, biodiversity and land-degradation agendas during their consecutive Conference presidencies. Launched at the UN General Assembly in September 2024, the Initiative established a platform for cross-convention cooperation and coordinated action.
The Trio focused on practical synergies — unlocking integrated planning, streamlined reporting, capacity-building and aligned projects across the three Rio Conventions. Officials highlighted at COP28 that addressing climate change, biodiversity loss and desertification in isolation misses critical interdependencies and efficiency gains.
The Rio Trio Initiative has been featured in COP high level events and discussions. It demonstrates how alignment of COP presidencies can catalyze united, high-impact responses to the intertwined planetary crises of climate and nature.
Joint statement November 2025 Joint statement November 2023 Joint statement June 2024 Rio Trio Initiative