CBD COP17 is the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Running from 19 to 30 October 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, this year’s Conference is following the official theme “Taking Action for Nature”.
Often called the “Biodiversity COP”, it brings together 196 Parties (195 countries and the European Union) to negotiate global policies aimed at halting and reversing the ongoing nature crisis which includes:
- Species at Risk: Around 1 million of the world’s estimated 8 million plant and animal species are threatened with extinction.
- Habitat Destruction: Human actions have altered 75% of the Earth’s land surface (and 85% of wetlands), while 66% of the ocean is heavily impacted.
- Wildlife Decline: Average wildlife populations have plunged by roughly 69% over the last 50 years.
Key objectives and focus areas
This year’s conference marks the first official midterm review of collective progress toward the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) – the first global stocktake for nature. Adopted in 2022, the framework sets 23 action targets for 2030, including the landmark goal to protect 30% of the planet’s land and sea by 2030, known as “30×30”.
With only four years remaining to achieve the 2030 targets, significant gaps still separate national plans from what is needed. For the ocean, those gaps are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Ocean Protection Gap Report highlights that only a third (3.5%) of the designated ocean protection areas are assessed as likely to be effectively protected, with destructive activities such as bottom trawling and industrial-scale fishing continuing in many areas counted towards global protection targets. Many more MPAs reported as designated to the World Database on Protected and Conserved Areas (WDPCA) have yet to be implemented on the water.
For some of the ocean’s most important ecosystems, this gap between designation and effective implementation is stark. For instance, 33% of mangroves are reported as protected, but just 0.3% are assessed as likely to be effectively protected, while 47% of warm-water corals lie within protected areas but less than 10% are likely to be effectively protected.
Ambitious commitments count for little if designated areas are not backed by active management, strong enforcement and transparency, the exclusion of destructive activities, rights-based governance and long-term finance. Read the full report.
Where to find RISE UP at CBD COP17
The Ocean Pavilion provides a space for those working on closing the gaps in ocean protection to meet, exchange knowledge and discuss how global biodiversity commitments can be translated into action.
It will bring together organizations working on marine conservation, ocean governance, science, policy and community-led initiatives, alongside governments and other partners.
At a conference where countries are taking stock of biodiversity progress, the Pavilion offers an opportunity to examine the specific challenges facing the ocean, highlighting solutions and charting pathways forward.
RISE UP will be involved in a series of events held in the Ocean Pavilion, alongside partners, and will be focusing on locally led conservation, youth leadership, the High Seas Treaty and the use of data and community knowledge in ocean protection.
RSVP for all events on the Ocean Pavilion’s event site.
Friday 23 October, 5:30–7:00 pm · Reception · Ocean Pavilion
Supporting Locally-Led Ocean Action at CBD COP17
Together with Fauna & Flora, RISE UP is planning an Ocean Pavilion reception bringing partners together to discuss how locally led conservation can be better recognised and supported.
The event will provide an opportunity to connect organisations working with coastal communities and explore how international biodiversity commitments can support the people already delivering conservation.
Hosted by RISE UP and Fauna & Flora.
Tuesday 27 October, 12:30 pm · Working lunch · COP17 Blue Zone
Building the High Seas Youth Agenda
What does it take for young people to shape the implementation of the High Seas Treaty, not just be represented in the room? This collaborative working lunch unites youth-led and youth-serving organisations working across ocean and biodiversity policy to build momentum toward the first BBNJ COP (BBNJ COP1).
Building on the priorities from the youth workshop at PrepCom3 (meaningful observer participation, youth representation in delegations, capacity-building and sustained coordination), participants will develop shared priorities and feed them into the public Ocean Pavilion session on 29 October.
Led by EarthEcho International, with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, High Seas Alliance, International Institute ARAYARA, Ocean Youth Constituency, OSG Youth Network, RISE UP for the Ocean, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and WILDTRUST.
Tuesday 27 October, 5:30–7:00 pm · Reception · Ocean Pavilion
Countdown to BBNJ COP1: Turning High Seas Treaty Progress into Action
Accepted by the Ocean Pavilion organisers (Oceans 5, Bloomberg Ocean Initiative and the Ocean Resilience and Climate Alliance) from more than 80 submissions, this reception brings people together on the road to BBNJ COP1, linking back to the youth working lunch earlier the same day.
It celebrates the Treaty’s momentum and looks ahead to what is needed to make COP1 a success.
Led by the High Seas Alliance with BirdLife International, Blue Marine Foundation, Faith for Oceans, Greenpeace, IUCN, Ocean & Climate Platform, NRDC and RISE UP.
Wednesday 28 October, 12:00–12:45 · Ocean Pavilion
A Blue Call to Action: Data, Communities and Nature-Positive Solutions
Building ocean resilience requires solutions that connect climate action and community leadership. This proposed session explores how a just, nature-positive energy transition can support healthy ocean ecosystems while protecting coral reefs, other areas of high marine biodiversity, and the livelihoods and rights of affected communities.
Bringing together civil society, community and scientific perspectives from the Global South, it will show how accessible data, monitoring tools and local knowledge can strengthen implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, drawing on practical experience from RISE UP and ARAYARA, including the Ocean Monitor and Coral Observatory.
Proposed organisers: ARAYARA International Institute, RISE UP, Friends of Marine Life, EarthEcho International and Sustainable Ocean Alliance.
Thursday 29 October, 9:00–10:15 am · Ocean Pavilion
From Priorities to Protection: Youth Leadership for 30×30 and the High Seas
Achieving 30×30 will take more than designating protected areas: it depends on equitable governance, sustainable financing, participatory monitoring and long-term stewardship, and High Seas Treaty implementation is essential to delivering protection at that scale. Young people are already leading this work, yet are too often engaged as advocates rather than implementation partners.
An opening youth panel is followed by an interactive discussion with youth organisations, governments, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, NGOs, scientists and funders, building on the priorities developed at the 27 October working lunch.
Led by EarthEcho International and Sustainable Ocean Alliance, with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, High Seas Alliance, International Institute ARAYARA, Ocean Youth Constituency, OSG Youth Network, RISE UP for the Ocean and WILDTRUST.
Register here.
CBD COP17 is the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Running from 19 to 30 October 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia, this year’s Conference is following the official theme “Taking Action for Nature”.
