The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) will take place from 19 to 30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.
CBD COP17 will be a key moment for global biodiversity action. Its main focus will be the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15, and whether countries are on track to deliver the 2030 biodiversity targets.
The key message from the first global review of progress is clear: although the GBF has sparked unprecedented global commitment to taking action on biodiversity, the world is not on track to reverse biodiversity loss.
Given the global decline in biodiversity, ecosystems and species – accelerating faster than at any time in human history – it is more urgent than ever that policymakers, governments and the whole of society turn these targets into action.
Local and regional authorities have a central role to play. In 2022, the Plan of Action on Subnational Governments, Cities and Other Local Authorities for Biodiversity (2023-2030) was approved. This decision recognised the importance of cities and regions for implementing, monitoring and reporting on global biodiversity objectives. It was also the first time that the European Committee of the Regions was mentioned in an official UN biodiversity decision.
COP17 is expected to review progress under this Plan of Action and offer a renewed opportunity to strengthen the formal engagement of subnational governments within the processes of the Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD). For the CoR, this will be an important opportunity to show that biodiversity action is local action.
Building on its participation in previous CBD conferences, the CoR will advocate for:
- strong multilevel governance for the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework;
- the full involvement of local and regional authorities in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, monitoring and reporting;
- direct access to adequate financial and technical support for subnational biodiversity action;
- stronger links between biodiversity, climate action, water resilience, land restoration and sustainable development, and strengthen the processes of the Rio Conventions.
Read more about the CoR delegation.
Calendar of activities for the CoR delegation at biodiversity COP17:
23 October - Participation in the following side events:
- Biodiversity Credits and other innovative mechanism to finance action: Opportunities and Challenges for Subnational Governments, organized by Paraná and Regions4
- From risk management to collective action: Building resilience in watersheds – The Lombardy Water Initiative, organized by Lombardy and Regions4
- China Cities Day, organized by ICLEI Asia Secretariat
- High-Level Local and Subnational Leadership closed door meeting for Mayors and Governors, organized by ICLEI and hosted by the city of Yerevan
24 October - Intervention in the 9th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, an official parallel event co-organized by ICLEI, the Secretariat of the CBD, Regions4, together with the host Government of Armenia and the City of Yerevan.
25 October - Participation in the Advisory Committee for Subnational Governments (AC SNG) Executive meeting.
26 October - Intervention in the official side event on Subnational governments and civil society organisations living in peace with nature: a global pathway for prosperity, co-organized by the CoR and EESC, with the support from IUCN, European Commission, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, GBYN, and Regions4. Through its participation, the CoR will help amplify the voice of EU cities and regions and highlight their contribution to protecting nature, restoring ecosystems and delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework in practice.