IUCN at UN Biodiversity Conference CBD COP17

Under the theme “Taking action for nature”, COP17 will take stock of global progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in 2022. This first global review of collective progress draws on countries’ national biodiversity strategies, targets, and reports and shows unprecedented global engagement, but also significant gaps and uneven progress. Without a rapid acceleration of implementation, the KMGBF’s 2030 targets and mission will not be achieved.

In Yerevan, governments will consider barriers and challenges to implementation and address the way forward on topics such as resource mobilisation, capacity building, technical and scientific cooperation, participation and engagement of the whole-of-society, coordination and policy coherence. COP17 will also consider a range of scientific and technical issues including those related to climate change, agriculture, and health. 

With 4 years left to halt the loss of biodiversity, the message is clear: resources and efforts should be directed towards accelerating implementation of the KMGBF.

At COP17 IUCN calls for: 
 

• Translating the findings of the first global review into concrete and action-oriented decisions, accelerating implementation particularly where progress is weakest and recognising the interconnectedness of the 23 KMGBF targets.
• Making full use of what already exists. There is a wealth of information already available to support implementation of the Framework. IUCN encourages the uptake and application of existing programmes of work, guidance, standards and scientific assessments, while addressing identified gaps and making use of the best available science and knowledge.
• Strengthening the means of implementation which remain insufficient for full and effective implementation of the Framework. Delivering the KMGBF requires not only substantially increased biodiversity finance, but also better alignment of economic and financial flows with biodiversity outcomes. This means redirecting finance away from activities that harm nature, strengthening capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation, technology transfer and equitable access to resources.
• Further enabling non-State actors to contribute to the implementation of the KMGBF. Governments cannot implement the Framework alone and meaningfully engaging Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women, youth, subnational and local authorities, business and other non-State actors can strengthen implementation by bringing additional knowledge, capacities and resources to efforts to achieve the Framework.
• Improving coherence while safeguarding biodiversity-specific action. As climate change and extreme weather intensify, greater policy coherence and mutually supportive implementation across national and international processes, including the Rio Conventions and relevant ocean processes, can help deliver shared objectives. Such synergies should reinforce, rather than dilute, dedicated commitments, resources and action for biodiversity.

Specific recommendations for COP17 can be found in IUCN's position papers (also available in French and Spanish).