Hayk Barseghyan
Spotlight on Yerevan: Announcements from the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference
Nature underpins life on Earth yet biodiversity loss continues to threaten ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 17) in Yerevan, Armenia, marks a critical milestone as world leaders and the biodiversity community gather to accelerate action towards halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030.
Follow announcements and key moments from Yerevan below.
| 20 October 2026 |
Beyond the negotiations The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference is about more than what happens in the negotiating rooms. Across the Blue Zone, parallel events and the Global Biodiversity Framework Pavilion are bringing together governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, experts, businesses, youth and other partners to exchange ideas and strengthen collaboration. Explore the parallel events programme and GBF pavilion.
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19 October 2026 |
UN Biodiversity Conference opens in Armenia The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference is underway in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together governments and stakeholders from around the world. With just four years remaining to meet the 2030 biodiversity targets, COP 17 marks a critical moment to assess global progress, address implementation gaps and agree on ways to accelerate action. From the first global review to discussions on biodiversity finance, biosafety and benefit-sharing, the focus is on turning commitments into results.
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16 October 2026 |
Leaders' Summit in Yerevan calls for urgent biodiversity action
World leaders gathered in Yerevan for the Leaders' Summit on Biodiversity ahead of COP 17, reaffirming their commitment to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The Summit adopted the Yerevan Declaration calling for accelerated implementation, increased biodiversity financing, stronger international cooperation and concrete action to protect and restore nature.
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15 October 2026 |
UN Secretary-General launches first global assessment of progress under world's landmark biodiversity agreement Launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres ahead of global biodiversity talks in Yerevan, the State of Biodiversity Action report provides the first global assessment of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The report reveals growing global commitment to protecting nature with nearly 90% of countries setting national biodiversity targets. However, fewer than half of assessed targets are on track. The findings highlight an urgent need to accelerate action to meet the framework’s 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. |
For full conference information, visit the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference website.