Convention on Biological Diversity CoP-17

Ecological Connectivity Conservation for Advancing the Convention on Biological Diversity

CBD CoP-17 Armenia logo Representatives of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation will participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/CoP-17) from 19 to 30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The country, located in the Caucasus mountain region between the Black and Caspian Seas, will host thousands of people from around the world under the theme “Taking action for nature.”

Over the course of the conference, participants will focus on reviewing collective progress implementing the 2030 Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) that include country Parties’ commitments to conserve ecological connectivity for achieving higher rates of ecosystem restoration (Target 2), more resilient protected and conserved areas (Target 3), and healthier urban areas (Target 12).

Other items on the agenda include:

Considering how to address technical and capacity gaps for monitoring progress of the KMGBF;

Improving effectiveness of biodiversity-related financial support;

Increasing contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities;

Addressing transparency and accountability for the digital sequencing of genetic resources;

Building capacity for technical and scientific cooperation;

Mainstreaming engagement with subnational governments;

Advancing an action plan in light of current and future developments of synthetic biology;

Reviewing needs for an updated program of work on protected areas; and

Considering global guidance for the sustainable wildlife management.

The Convention On Biological Diversity

The Center has been an NGO Observer to CBD since 2018, and consistently participates in discussions and negotiations, informs development of guidance and tools, and works with partners on demonstration projects to implement policies, especially focused on maintaining, enhancing, and restoring the ecological connectivity of habitats, wildlife, and natural processes.

At CBD CoP-17, the Center will continue contributions including promoting policy decisions acknowledging ecological connectivity as fundamental for the health and vitality of protected and conserved areas across wider landscapes and seascapes. Joining the 196 country “Parties” to the Convention at this biennial conference—as well as UN and international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and businesses—the Center will further emphasize the fundamental importance of connectivity, landscape, and seascape conservation for achieving the KMGBF and other international commitments across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.

Key Activities

GPEC Guide To Action — GPEC Guide to Action

CLLC’s contributions at CBD/CoP-17 will include:

Promoting the “Guide to Action” from the Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) providing specific, recommended actions for multiple sectors;

Supporting country Parties as they consider draft Decision 28/5 that includes increasing emphasis on and/or having a dedicated element for ecological connectivity in the updated program of work on protected areas;

Providing updates about the diversity of approaches that over 65 country Parties have now identified for conserving ecological connectivity in their National Biodiversity and Strategic Action Plans;

Introducing the “Well-connected Initiative,” developing the first globally applicable framework to better translate connectivity-related indicators of the KMGBF monitoring framework into practical, reportable, and more strategic action; and

Offering a diverse suite of services, tools, and products to partners in support of their connectivity conservation activities, projects, initiatives, and programs.

Official Side Events

The Center is co-organizing the following official side events with partners:

Monday, 19 October:  Ecological Connectivity: A Crosscutting Catalyst for Achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

This event is hosted by the multistakeholder Global Partnership on Ecological Connectivity (GPEC) and is intended to showcase how subnational, national, regional, and international actions are harnessing ecological connectivity conservation to accelerate and advance multiple targets of the KMGBF.

Friday, 23 October: Biodiversity conservation as a foundation in peace, peacebuilding, and conflict recovery

This event will highlight case studies from around the world to explore how biodiversity conservation is a source for cooperation and can be integrated into avoiding, responding to, and recovering from armed conflict.

Friday, 30 October: Maintaining, enhancing, and restoring ecological connectivity for migratory species across scales

This event is designed to provide insights from around the world how ecological corridors and animal migration can be better integrated, planned, and implemented for the conservation of migratory species across terrestrial, freshwater, and coastal and marine ecoystems.

Other Featured Events

CLLC representatives will also be speaking at and/or supporting additional events, including:

Sunday, 18 October: Connecting Target 3 Across the KMGBF at the Yerevan Conservation Symposium 2026 – Beyond State Protected Areas

Monday, 19 October:  Action for Peace and Biodiversity

Tuesday, 20 October: Connecting tiger landscapes: securing habitat, movement, and coexistence

Wednesday, 21 October:

- Women, Farms, and Restored Landscapes: Advancing Pollinator Conservation

- National and Regional Implementation of Wildlife-friendly Linear Transport Infrastructure

Thursday, 22 October:

- From Knowledge to Connectivity: Three Solutions to Scale Up Community-Led Biodiversity Solutions through UNESCO and Indigenous Partnerships
- Taking Action for Nature at Scale: How can outstanding examples of scaling up conservation and restoration efforts inspire wider action to meet KMGBF Targets?
- Conservation Beyond Boundaries: Advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework Target 3 in West Asia – 22 October 2026, 9:00-10:00 am at the IUCN Pavilion

Saturday, 24 October: Science-Policy Forum – Delivering 30×30 through Transformative Biodiversity Governance

Sunday, 25 October: High Ambition Coalition Target 3 Marketplace – Connectivity and Transboundary Conservation

Resources

The Center has compiled a “Connectivity Stream of Events” at CoP-17 to support participants interested in attending official side events focused on connectivity conservation.

Other resources available include: