Investing in Biodiversity: Unlocking Greater Returns

The Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions (BLG), a long-standing network uniting the executive heads of the eight biodiversity-related conventions, met on 21 February 2025 at FAO Headquarters in Rome ahead of the resumed sessions of the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16). The group reaffirmed their collective support to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). 

At the meeting, hosted by the secretariats of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), the group stressed the importance of investing in biodiversity to generate high returns and mitigate the economic risks of biodiversity loss. The eight members highlighted how, by joining efforts under the respective mandates of the conventions, they can amplify the collective benefits to people and planet. 

The BLG, established in 2004, represents an important forum to foster synergies, policy coherence and cooperation among the eight conventions, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Convention on Wetlands, the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, IPPC, ITPGRFA and the International Whaling Commission (IWC). 

The members of the Liaison Group also shared updates on their respective processes and concrete actions taken in their contributions to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Group also reflected on their shared priorities as mandated by their respective contracting Parties and identified potential areas for joint work. 

The meeting included a session with the secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Office on Climate Change, Biodiversity and the Environment of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which focused on the contribution of biodiversity to food production and the importance of aligning science with policy. 

The Group will continue to coordinate and cooperate on key shared priorities and objectives to ensure the work of its members contributes to a surge of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and is well-aligned with the requests and expectations of their respective contracting Parties. 

These may include, among others, communication, capacity-building, resource mobilization, monitoring, scientific research and integrated national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs). Such common priority areas support sharing best practices and working together to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, coherence and innovative approaches. 

The eight secretariats will also continue their collaboration in harnessing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at the international level as well as with Parties at the national level through their respective focal points with responsibilities both for national implementation, convention governance and development of NBSAPs. 

By leveraging the convening power and impact of the eight biodiversity-related conventions, the Liaison Group will continue to efficiently promote the integration of biodiversity in national policies for stronger, more resilient economies, health and food security, among other aims transcending the Sustainable Development Goals.  
 

For additional information, please email: secretariat@cbd.int

More information

Governments agree on the way forward to mobilise the resources needed to protect biodiversity for people and planet

Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 16)

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework