Global Biodiversity Targets Off Track as COP17 Becomes a Critical Moment for Action

After nearly three weeks of negotiations, Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity acknowledged that the world is not on track to meet its 2030 biodiversity targets.

The Nairobi meetings addressed key issues including wildlife conservation, protected areas, marine biodiversity, biodiversity finance and the reform of harmful subsidies, while reviewing the first global progress report on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The report shows that while progress has been made in some areas of conservation, fewer than half of the assessed national targets aligned with the global framework are currently on track. Major gaps remain in biodiversity finance, harmful subsidy reform, reducing business impacts on nature and promoting sustainable consumption.

More than 70% of Parties have submitted national reports and nearly 90% have set national targets. However, much faster action will be needed in the years ahead.

The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference, including COP17, will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October. Parties will conduct the first global review of collective progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and focus on how to accelerate action toward the 2030 targets.