Biodiversity COP16, being held from 21 October to 1 November, marks the first of three major international environmental conferences. The WCC will also participate in the upcoming climate COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November, and the desertification COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2-13 December. “We are advocating for solutions that honor the interconnectedness of creation and recognize biodiversity as a cornerstone of ecological and human resilience,” said Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary. “Environmental justice is not just a matter of policy but a spiritual and moral responsibility. We are called to address these interconnected crises with urgency, rooted in faith, to ensure a future where all of creation can thrive.” At biodiversity COP16, the WCC will focus on biodiversity’s vital role in maintaining ecosystems that support climate resilience and combat land degradation. The WCC’s advocacy also emphasizes equitable resource distribution, the protection of Indigenous communities that have long safeguarded the planet’s biodiversity, and recognition of the rights of nature. Athena Peralta, director of the WCC Commission on Climate Justice and Sustainable Development, highlighted the connection between biodiversity conservation and climate action: “Our faith drives us to advocate for biodiversity justice not only as a crucial part of climate resilience, but as a sacred duty to preserve God’s creation. Indigenous knowledge and community-based stewardship are invaluable resources in this journey.” The WCC’s engagement across the triple COPs will support fellowship members from vulnerable communities in raising their voices against practices that endanger ecosystems. The WCC will also advocate for integrated policies and ethical financial mechanisms to holistically address the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and desertification. | 
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