The Transmission Zero team from Ifakara, represented by Dr. Dickson Lwetoijera, Dr. Brian Tarimo, and Felista Tarimo, attended the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, Conference of the Parties (CBD COP16), held from October 21 to November 1, 2024, in Cali, Colombia.

The team, as expressed by Felista “actively engaged in discussions shaping global biodiversity protection policies. This conference provided a vital platform for sharing scientific evidence and, in our context, demonstrating the role gene drive technology can play in conservation—such as controlling invasive species and combating vector-borne diseases like malaria by targeting vectors, which aligns with Transmission Zero’s work.”

Addressing the Impact of Vector-Borne Diseases on Biodiversity and Health

On the third day of the conference, Felista spoke at a side event alongside colleagues from Island Conservation and Instituto Tecnológico Vale (ITV). The discussion centered on the rapid decline in biodiversity, which threatens species and heightens the risk of disease outbreaks. Tackling today’s environmental and health crises requires developing comprehensive solutions that protect the health of all species and their shared ecosystems.

The event explored the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Experts discussed the dynamics of vector-borne diseases, emphasizing the need for innovative and integrated strategies to mitigate their impacts on biodiversity and public health.

"Ultimately, we seek regulatory frameworks that strike a balance between innovation and biodiversity safety, creating a pathway for the responsible and socially accepted use of gene drive technology," said Felista Tarimo.

About COP

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the ultimate decision-making body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and it meets biennially. The convention was signed at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and has 196 signatory countries. Its objectives are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

Learn more about this here: COP16: What’s at stake at the UN biodiversity conference in Colombia?