The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, known as COP17, runs from October 19 to 30, 2026. It marks the first global assessment of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss worldwide.

The framework contains 23 targets, including a commitment to conserve at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and oceans by 2030. Other priorities include restoring damaged ecosystems, reducing pollution and reforming financial incentives that encourage activities harmful to nature.

However, progress remains uneven, with several key objectives falling behind schedule. A United Nations assessment released ahead of the conference found that countries had made progress in setting national biodiversity targets, but implementation needed to accelerate considerably to meet the 2030 deadline.

The challenge comes as governments contend with strained public finances, geopolitical tensions and competing domestic priorities. Environmental advocates warn that delays could undermine efforts to protect wildlife, preserve natural habitats and safeguard the ecosystems that support food production, water supplies and human livelihoods.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged governments to move beyond promises and take more decisive action. The conference is expected to test whether countries can agree on practical measures to close the gap between their commitments and the results being delivered on the ground.

Financing is expected to be one of the most contentious issues. Developing countries need substantial support to protect forests, oceans and other ecosystems, while wealthier nations and other parties continue to debate how the financial burden should be shared.

The global framework calls for biodiversity funding to rise to at least $200 billion annually from all sources by 2030, including international financial flows to developing countries. Yet the amount currently being directed towards conservation remains below the level required, according to assessments published ahead of the summit.

Governments are also under pressure to reform or eliminate subsidies that harm biodiversity. The framework calls for identifying and eliminating, phasing out or reforming incentives that damage nature, with a target of reducing such incentives by at least $500 billion annually by 2030.

The discussions are expected to examine how private-sector investment can help bridge the funding gap, alongside public spending and international assistance. One mechanism attracting attention is the Cali Fund, established to support benefit-sharing from the commercial use of digital sequence information on genetic resources.

Supporters argue that businesses benefiting from biodiversity should contribute to its protection, particularly in developing countries where conservation needs are high but financial resources are limited.

The summit also provides an opportunity for governments to review the effectiveness of national biodiversity plans and identify areas requiring stronger implementation. Environmental groups and conservation experts are calling for clearer accountability, adequate funding and policies that address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss.

For host country Armenia, the conference is a major international event and an opportunity to encourage renewed global cooperation on environmental protection. The country has promoted an action-oriented approach, emphasising implementation of existing commitments rather than simply announcing new ambitions.

The outcome of COP17 will be important in determining whether countries can speed up conservation efforts over the next four years. With the 2030 deadline approaching, governments face growing pressure to demonstrate that international agreements can translate into tangible protection for the natural world.

Reporting by TalkNaija Media