PARIS, Nov 28, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - Crunch UN talks to find funding to curb the 
destruction of nature will resume in Rome in February, the UN said Thursday 
after negotiations this month in Colombia ended without a deal.

The biodiversity conference will be held at the headquarters of the United 
Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization from February 25 to 27 to tackle 
issues "left unresolved following the suspension of the meeting" on November 
2, a statement said.

An unprecedented 23,000 participants flocked to Cali in Colombia for the 
largest summit yet on biodiversity aimed at protecting nature from 
deforestation, overexploitation, climate change and pollution.

Negotiations stretched into an extra night but the Colombian presidency was 
unable to establish a quorum, with many delegates having boarded return 
flights.

"In the weeks to come, and during our meeting in Rome this February, I will 
work alongside Parties to build the trust and consensus needed to achieve 
Peace with Nature," said Colombia's Environment Minister Susana Muhamad, the 
COP16 president, in the statement.

She added that securing a key financial accord "will be central to our 
efforts".