International Day for Biological Diversity

As negotiations at CBD COP17 unfold, this press conference will examine what the emerging outcomes on the so-called innovative schemes, including biodiversity offsets and credits, mean for Indigenous peoples, local communities, women and youth, as well as for efforts to address the root causes of biodiversity and forest loss. Speakers: Valentina Figuera Martínez; Mirna Fernández; Uli Arta Siagian; Pantori Tri Kuswardono; Heitor Delastra; Nele Mariën. Related Sites and Documents:  Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 website  &  Full Programme . Press Conference: Biodiversity Offsets and Credits: Who Benefits, Who Bears the Costs?, UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP 17 Conferences

   The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will take place in October 2026. It will be held in conjunction with the twelfth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP-12) and the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (NP-MOP-6). Watch the Working Group II (2nd meeting), UN Convention on Biodiversity – COP 17! Conferences

Armenia (COP17 Presidency) and Ethiopia (Climate COP32 Presidency) joining the Freshwater Challenge - country-led initiative that is the world's largest freshwater restoration and protection initiative . These two countries will take membership to 56 and the EU. Other countries could also sign up in time to announce their membership during the press conference. Speakers: Minister/high-level rep from Ethiopia (TBD); reps from Brazil and/or South Africa (TBD); Coenraad Krijger; GEF rep. Related Sites and Documents:  Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 website  &  Full Programme . Watch the Press Conference: Rising to the Freshwater Challenge: Armenia and Ethiopia join the world's largest freshwater restoration and protection initiative, UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP 17! Conferences

Greenpeace International highlights the key areas governments must act on to move from commitments to implementation and prevent irreversible ecosystem collapse and biodiversity loss. At COP17, leaders must address gaps in the implementation of the KM-GBF with concrete action; close the biodiversity finance gap; ensure quality of 30x30, from forests to the high seas, by safeguarding ecosystem integrity and respecting rights; and maximise synergies between climate and biodiversity action. Speakers: Biodiversity Politics Expert, Greenpeace International; Irene Wabiwa; Camila Jardim; Laura Caicedo. Related Sites and Documents:  Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 website  &  Full Programme . Watch the Press Conference: Halfway to 2030: Time to close the gaps and move from commitments to action, UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP 17! Conferences

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) will hold a press conference to highlight the importance of ensuring the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the work of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Speakers: Lucy Mulenkei; Ramiro Batzin; Jennifer Tauli Corpuz; Viviana Figueroa; Other speakers - tbc. Related Sites and Documents:  Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 website  &  Full Programme Watch the Press Conference: Who Has a Voice in Biodiversity Decisions? Indigenous Peoples and local communities call for full and effective participation in the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j), UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP 17! Conferences

Launch of Local Biodiversity Outlooks 3: A new report compiling 56 case studies from Indigenous Peoples and local communities illustrating their their vital contributions to the success of the KMGBF. Speakers: IIFB rep; IWBN rep; RMIB-LAC rep; COD-ILK rep. Related Sites and Documents:  Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 website  &  Full Programme Watch the Press Conference: Local Biodiversity Outlooks 3: How Indigenous Peoples and local communities are implementing the KMGBF, UN Convention on Biodiversity - COP 17! Conferences