About the Cali Fund Guide

The Cali Fund represents a bold, collaborative approach to ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic data derived from nature. As the financial arm of the new multilateral mechanism adopted by 196 governments under the Convention on Biological Diversity at COP16, the Fund enables companies and users of digital sequence information (DSI) to contribute meaningfully to global biodiversity conservation. This guide—developed by the CBD Secretariat, UNDP, and UNEP—provides a clear, introductory overview of how the Cali Fund works, its intended beneficiaries, and how the private sector can engage. By supporting the Cali Fund, companies can demonstrate leadership, manage risks, and help meet global biodiversity targets, while investing in the protection of the world’s most vital natural resources.

The guides are available for download in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. A courtesy translation offered by the Government of Brazil in Portuguese is also available for download.  

Arabic	Chinese	English	French	Russian	Spanish	Portuguese (Courtesy translation)

Cali Fund Guide for Parties 

This guide is a preliminary version provided for information for Parties in relation to the Multilateral Mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of DSI, including the Cali Fund, and is written by staff of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), serving as the interim Secretariat to the Multilateral Mechanism for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, including the Cali Fund. It provides an introduction and overview of the basics of the multilateral mechanism and the Cali Fund.

This is a living document and does not constitute an official interpretation of Decision 16/2, nor does it prejudge any future decisions of the Conference of the Parties.

The guide is available for download in English and also through the QR code below. 

Cali Fund Guide for Databases

This guide is a preliminary version provided for information for databases in relation to the Multilateral Mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of DSI, including the Cali Fund, and is written by staff of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), serving as the interim Secretariat to the Multilateral Mechanism for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, including the Cali Fund. It provides an introduction and overview of the basics of the multilateral mechanism and the Cali Fund.

This is a living document and does not constitute an official interpretation of Decision 16/2, nor does it prejudge any future decisions of the Conference of the Parties.

The guide is available for download in English and also through the QR code below.