// ENERGY, CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT: ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
INTERVIEW
Biodiversity at a critical turning point
How are preparations for COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity progressing? Preparations are in full swing. The Sec- retariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Armenia, host of the 17th Conference of the Parties meeting – the United Nations Biodiversity Confer- ence – are working hard to ensure that when the parties and stakeholders come together in Yerevan in October they will find great working conditions and have all the information they need to tackle a full agenda shaped by the need to do more and act faster to protect bio- diversity. And do this with a sense of urgency: biodiversity is the foundation of all life on Earth; human-driven pres- sures are undermining it at an alarming pace. What are the priorities of the conference? The UN Biodiversity Conference actually comprises three meetings: COP17 itself and the concurrent meet- ings of the convention’s two protocols: the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization. At COP17, parties to the CBD will undertake the first global review of collective progress in the implementa- tion of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The KMGBF is the world’s compre- hensive, science-based blueprint to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss through 23 targets to be achieved by 2030. It addresses the key drivers of nature’s decline, land- and sea-use change, direct exploitation of organ- isms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species in integrated ways, promoting whole‑of‑government and whole‑of‑society action. Impor- tantly, the framework is clear that transformative change is required at all levels, including of our economic and financial systems. KMGBF implementation is in full swing across the globe. In Yerevan we will discuss whether the current pace and scope of action are sufficient to achieve the global targets on time. Clarity on where the world stands in halting and reversing biodiversity loss is crucial, but translating the analysis into
With ecosystems under mounting pressure, translating assessment into accelerated action will be key to safeguarding them, supporting development and maintaining planetary stability
Interview with Astrid Schomaker, executive secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
112 // G7 FRANCE: THE ÉVIAN SUMMIT 2026
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