Home » 7th Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity COP 17 Yerevan

7th Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity COP 17 Yerevan

The seventh Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity , COP17

24 & 25 October 2026, COP 17, Yerevan, Armenia

COP17: 7th Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity

The Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity (SPFB) will be held in the context of the Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-17), taking place on 24th & 25th  October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.

The 2026 Forum will mark the seventh edition of the SPFB, continuing a series that began 20 years ago, with the first edition held in 2006. Since its establishment, the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) has played a central role in the Forum’s development and has organized all seven editions, contributing to its continuity as a platform for strengthening dialogue between science, policy and society.

     Site map and venue

     Sessions at a glance, download the program

     Description of the sessions, Back ground information

     Broadcast link for sessions in contact group 1:

     CBD webpage

Building on the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the seventh SPFB will focus on turning knowledge into action and strengthening the connections between scientific knowledge, policy and societal action. It will explore practical approaches to biodiversity implementation, including nexus approaches connecting biodiversity with climate, land, food, water and health, as well as mechanisms for effective science–policy interaction and transformative change.

The Forum will bring together scientists, policymakers, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth and other stakeholders through plenary and thematic sessions, roundtables and interactive discussions, providing opportunities to share knowledge, exchange perspectives and identify pathways towards effective biodiversity action.

In honour of our late Secretary-General, Kofi Akamani, the 7th Science Forum is dedicated to his memory. We invite everyone who wishes to share their memories, tributes, and photographs of Kofi to do so via this link

Organizers of the event:

The main organizers are:

  • International Union of Biological Science, (IUBS)
  • The University of Tokyo,  (U Tokyo)
  • Consortium of Scientific Partners (CSP) with American University of Armenia and the Acopian Center for the Environment 
  • Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, (SCBD) 

Program at a glance and sessions quick links

Saturday 24 October 2026

room: Contact Group 1

8:45- 9:10: Opening of the joint events

9:15-10:15: Keynotes: Jillian Campbell and David Obura

10:30- 12:00: SESSION 1 : Nexus in practice: Mainstreaming and landscape governance

12:00- 13:30: SESSION 3 : Mainstreaming and ocean governance

14:30-16:00: SESSION 5 : How do we move from ambitious global biodiversity targets to real-world, ground-level action?

16:15- 17:45: SESSION 7 : Biodiversity and Health: Operationalizing One Health from Monitoring to Integrated Implementation

18:00-19:30: SESSION 9 : Workshop on financing landscape-governance 

Sunday 25 October 2026

room: Contact Group 1

9:00- 10:30: SESSION 10 : Optimising the role of the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centres – Capacity-building and technical cooperation

10:45- 12:15: SESSION 12  Nature-Positive Recovery: Building Resilience from disasters and conflict 

13:15-14:45: SESSION 14  Understanding the dimensions of wildlife Trade

15:00- 16:30: SESSION 16  Using data to guide action

16:45-18:00: Closing remarks

Saturday 24 October 2026

room: Contact Group 5

10:30- 12:00: SESSION 2 : Building pipelines to monitor ecosystem service provision

12:00- 13:30: SESSION 4 : Monitoring and indicators

14:30-16:00: SESSION 6  : Ecosystem restoration in action: key elements for success and challenges for implementation

16:15- 17:45: SESSION 8 : Business, finance, and nature-positive economies

 

 

 

 


Sunday 25 October 2026

room: Contact Group 5

9:00-10:30: SESSION 11  Delivering 30×30 through Transformative Biodiversity Governance

10:45- 12:15: SESSION 13 Overcoming the challenges of translating data to policy; Panel discussion

13:15-14:45: SESSION 15 Knowledge management and exchange

15:00-16:30 : SESSION 17 DSI and benefit sharing: experiences and lessons learned from research partnerships

Science Policy for Biodiversity sessions

Opening

Welcome addresses from:

  • A representative of the Armenian Presidency
  • A representative from the SCBD
  • A representative from the IUBS
  • A representative from The University of Tokyo
  • A representative from Humboldt Institute
  • A representative from the Smithsonian
  • Assistant Director General, Sciences Sector, UNESCO

 

Keynotes:
Jillian Campbell, COP17 theme and KMGBF collective-progress review; host-country priorities; Forum objectives and expected outputs.
David Obura, The nexus & Transformative changes assessments as a framework to measure progress towards KMGBF 2030

SESSION 1 
Nexus in practice: Mainstreaming and landscape governance
The world is facing serious sustainability challenges as a result of rapid increase in population, urbanization, consumption, climate change and other drivers of change. The simultaneous occurrence and interactions among multiple drivers of change often result in the compounding of their effects. Sectoral approaches to research and management of resource systems in isolation from one another have been found to be unsustainable and so there is the demand for more integrative frameworks. While past approaches to integrated resource management, such as integrated water resource management, are likely to adopt a sectoral approach that prioritizes the goals of a single sector, the nexus approach treats the various resource systems equally. The nexus approach also recognizes the complex and dynamic interdependence of the various ecosystems that provide the goods and services upon which humanity depends. As such, it adopts a holistic and integrated approach to coordinating management efforts across scales and sectors with the aim of maximizing synergies and minimizing trade-offs among relevant sectors. Recently, the need for examples of robust analytical tools and conceptual models for implementing mainstreaming/analyzing the nexus approach has been gaining recognition. Moreover, the governance requirements for implementing the nexus approach have not received adequate attention. To address some of these knowledge and implementation challenges, this proposed session will focus on the following themes:

  • Overview of the current state of knowledge on the frameworks, methods and governance models for understanding and implementing mainstreaming (the nexus approach)
  • Bright spots in the implementation of mainstreaming with a landscape approach in diverse geographic contexts and ecosystems
  • Pathways for mainstreaming (the nexus approach) in conservation and development policies across scales

Session Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences    

Speakers:             

  • Pamela McElwee, Rutgers university. Nexus overview
  • Joanne Smallwood, Sussex University. Legal and Governance mechanisms for the rights of nature and ecological guardianship: three different settings
  • Yves Zinngrebe, UFZ. Engaging actors across sectors and levels, insights from literature on accountability
  • Simona Capisani, Associate Professor at Durham University/CalGBA: Values Mapping for Governance and Synergies- Lessons from a soil-centric approach to biodiversity and land use   
  • Lulseged Tamene Desta,CGIAR.Multifunctional landscapes 
  • Josh Tewksbury, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
  • Annie Virnig, UNDP: Using integrated spatial planning to identify where nature-based solutions can lead to synergies for biodiversity, climate, and human well-being.
  • Pablo López WCPA/IUCN Urban Nature Indexes tool for monitoring urban ecological performance
  • Moderator: Suneetha Subramanian, UNU-IAS

Targets: 1, 10, 14

SESSION 2  
Building pipelines to monitor ecosystem service provision 
Ensuring that the most relevant data, information and available knowledge are accessible to decision-makers, practitioners and the public to strengthen effective and equitable governance, as well as integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and supports communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management. In this context, traditional knowledge and practices, as well as innovations and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities, can only be made accessible with their free, prior and informed consent, in accordance with national legislation.
Policy implementation requires a strong commitment from governments and society as a whole, including the scientific community, indigenous peoples and local knowledge holders, the private sector, practitioners, and civil society, among others. However, translating this broad commitment into effective action depends largely on the ability of these actors to access, share, and interpret the data that underpins their decisions.
Data and information can come in multiple forms. Given the huge volume of big data generated by today’s technologies and their growing reach across different sectors of society, challenges remain that need to be addressed before artificial intelligence can be widely applied in an efficient, accessible, and equitable manner. Data governance, data policies, geographical, taxonomic, access gaps, as well as quality assurance and knowledge management, are some of the areas where data can influence policy.
Particular emphasis will be placed on linking the need for harmonized data policies with the practical tools required: As examples, there will be presentations and exchange focusing on challenges for knowledge management and monitoring systems in the context of global and regional pollinator platforms, based on national data that contribute to measuring progress in meeting the KMGBF.
One particular aspect of this session will highlight how AI models can use data at different scales, from examples ranging from regional to global scope, as well as the current limitations of AI. Finally, existing experience in managing large volumes of data and large-scale databases will be presented and perspectives will be discussed how the interplay between platforms and national biodiversity strategies and action plans will help to monitor significant ecosystem services like pollination

Session Leads:  International Union of Biological Sciences, FAO, GIZ  

  • Block 1: Welcome and introduction (facilitator, Andreas Gettkant)
  • Block 2: keynote  Biodiversity, big data and artificial intelligence: applications at different scales, experiences of managing large databases and current limits of artificial intelligence.
  • Block 3: Panel of specialists  
    • Hien Ngo, FAO-Rome
    • Rebecca Johnson, Co-founder, Global City Nature Challenge and Director of the Center for Biodiversity and Community Science at the California Academy of Sciences/CalGBA.
    • Scott Atkinson, UNDP, spatial ecologist leading work around spatial data, data interoperability, indicator pipelines
  • Block 4: The regional pollinator platform in Latin America LAC   
    Potential of the regional platform on pollinators as a case study for Latin America and the Caribbean, experiences from the science/policy interface in Peru. Veronica Cañedo, Ministry of Environment 
  • Block 5: Facilitated dialogue     
    Application of the panel’s topics to the ecosystem service of pollination: pollinator monitoring interoperability standards, data policies and governance, resource sharing, accessibility 
  • Block 6: Conclusions and next steps  
    Synthesis of messages, guidelines for an ethical use of AI that respects national and regional data sovereignty, and possible actions towards 2030

Guiding questions:

  1. What are the main technical and policy barriers to harmonizing data across global, regional, and national platforms?
  2. How to responsibly collect and use large datasets without losing the local context and social infrastructures that support them?
  3. Beyond the FAIR principles, what governance mechanisms and structures can ensure fair attribution, consent and benefit-sharing when indigenous and local knowledge is integrated into large datasets or AI models? 

Target 21          

SESSION 3  
Mainstreaming and ocean governance
World Oceans comprise international and exclusive economic zones, being the international waters a vast and larger area, near two thirds of whole oceans. However, this is a large source of food and other resources used by our societies in different ways.    
Main identified threats for ABNJ are fishing/hunting, maritime shipping, climate change and its associated effects, land-based pollution and mineral exploitation (O’Leary et al. 2020), but these are similar to areas under exclusive economic zones. While the new global agreement on the High Seas BBNJ has entered into force in January this year, to secure a resilient and productive ocean for all, challenges in mainstreaming, governance and sustainability remain to be fully addressed. This session will review some insights on oceans governance and sustainability at both international and exclusive economic zones, and learn from large regional projects about solutions for implementation of international agreements. 

Session Leads:  International Union of Biological Sciences
  
Talks followed by a panel

  • Radhika Bhargava Gajre, National University of Singapore. Bridging Global Policy and Local Realities: Blue Carbon, Seascape Connectivity, and Coastal Resilience. 
  • Oscar Julian Esteban, École Normale Supérieure, Paris. Six key policy recommendations for marine conservation matching the ocean’ dynamics. 
  • Thorsten Huber, Western Indian Ocean Governance project.
  • Gunnar Finke, The Living High Seas project-GOBI.
  • Marcela Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Founder and Executive Director of Azul, Co-founder of the Ocean Justice Forum, helped establish the Coastal Justice Lab, a law center at the University of California, Irvine 
  • Carole Pierlovisi, Head of International Affairs at the MNHN, Co-PFN SBSTTA for France, Coordinator of Multilateral Affairs at the MNHN, PFN CHM for France

SESSION 4  
Monitoring and indicators
This session focuses on monitoring progress towards the targets, however collation of the data to monitor progress towards global targets remains challenging to assess. Here we will first discuss the outcome of the global assessment, the level of reporting, gaps and challenges. We then compare this directly to data available, and how these two elements compare. Following from this we discuss approaches to enhance monitoring and how scalable systems can be developed to improve the mobilisation of data at all scales. We also hear from the perspective of the CBD where efforts may be focused going forward, as well as the roles of the TSSCs in facilitating countries in developing programs to better monitor progress towards targets, how to report, and where gaps remain. 

Session Leads:  International Union of Biological Sciences   

Speakers:  

  • Alice C. Hughes, Patterns of biodiversity data, growth, remaining shortfalls.
  • Ernst Jürgensen, Using community-generated data for monitoring.
  • Kyle Copas, GBIF. Mobilising species distribution data and engaging countries.
  • Samantha Hill, UNEP-WCMC. Working with countries to develop indicators. 
  • Maria Cecilia Londono, Humboldt, Building a monitoring program from national to regional scales.
  • Carly Cowell, BGI, Developing indicators for the Global Plant Conservation Strategy.
  • Flavio Affinito, SCBD, The status of the monitoring based on the global review.

Targets: All

SESSION 5  
How do we move from ambitious global biodiversity targets to real-world, ground-level action?
Rationale & Session Context: How do we move from ambitious global biodiversity targets to real-world, ground-level action? This highly interactive session bridges the gap between science and implementation by operationalizing the IPBES Nexus Assessment. Instead of viewing environmental, social, and economic challenges in isolation, this session brings together national and local governments, businesses, and NGOs to co-design cross-sectoral solutions. By integrating cutting-edge academic frameworks with corporate strategy and grassroots governance, Session 3A addresses the core theme of COP17: “Taking Action for Nature – a global shift from words to action, from awareness to responsibility.” It directly contributes to the global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Session Leads:  U. Tokyo-IGES – ICSS  
Lead Organizers: The University of Tokyo, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), S-21 Project (Osamu Saito)
Co-Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)
Contact Information: Osamu Saito  

Speakers:  
Part 1: Keynote & Framework Overviews (Setting the Scientific Baseline). 

Presentation 1: Insights from the IPBES NEXUS Assessment

  • Osamu Saito (CLA, IPBES Nexus Assessment / Program Director, IGES) 

Part 2: Ground-Level Implementation, Case Studies, Cross-Sectoral Solutions. 

Presentation 2: Ground-Level Implementation

  • Laura Pereira (Professor, Global Change Institute, Wits University / Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University)

Presentation 3: From Disruption to Biodiversity Action – Dynamic Capabilities, Openness Strategy and Territorial Transformation

  • Jamel Gamra,World Centre of Excellence for Destinations      

Presentation 4: Corporate Nature-Positive Strategies and Mobilizing Public-Private Partnerships    

  • Ayako Nomura (Senior Associate, Sustainability Development Office, Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.)

Part 3: Interactive Panel Discussion & Dialogue. 

  • Moderator: Osamu Saito
  • Core Dialogue Questions:
  1. What are the primary institutional barriers preventing the integration of the Nexus Approach and Transformative Changes into national socio-economic policies?
  2. How can public-private partnerships efficiently scale up nature-positive actions at the ground level?

Panel speakers:

  • Lindsey Horvath From post-fire recovery to long-term resilience, Los Angeles County Supervisor is leading LA County to face the climate and biodiversity crises head on.
  • Nope Noor – UNEP WCMC – Senior programme officer, leader of nature, gender and right.

SESSION 6  
Ecosystem restoration in action: key elements for success and challenges for implementation
Landscape and ecosystem restoration are among the main responses to combat biodiversity loss, desertification and climate change, recognized as Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), within the convention on Biological Diversity, where nations commit to effectively restore at least 30% of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine ecosystems by 2030 to halt biodiversity loss. Also, the UN launched the “decade on ecosystem restoration (2021-2030)”, to incentivize the thinking at the landscape level, to benefit both biodiversity and ecosystem services, where restoration activities will have a significant impact. Ecosystem restoration is also a core natural climate solution recognized by the UNFCCC Climate Change framework to reduce greenhouse gases and build climate resilience. 
Restoration depends on the context – ecosystems, legal systems, governance, and is a long-term commitment. Therefore, at this session we will examine and discuss key element for success (and challenge) within governance, implementation and monitoring.   
Therefore, at this session we will first have an overview of the progress made (SER or GLF) and distance to the target according to the road map run by FAO. Covering different landscapes, scales and approaches this session will identify key element for success within governance, and challenges implementation. How are incentives (private-market based, or government and policy incentives) performing?  What are the main barriers for local and indigenous communities?  
Some recommendations to accelerate the pace for restoration across different types of habitats, scales and governance situation will be the output of this session, considering biodiversity but contributing to all global agendas.

Session Leads:  International Union of Biological Sciences

Co-Leads:  University of Tokyo / IGES–ICSS

Speakers:  

  • Natalia Alekseeva, UNEP The Decade on Restoration half-way. 
  • Yelena Finegold, FAO. Overview of the restoration road map. 
  • Ximena Barrera, WWF int. Connectivity in landscape restoration. 
  • Jan Peters, Succow Foundation. Sustainable Peats for people. 
  • Gail Sucharikatul, Imperial College. Equity-centered restoration
  • Engin Yilmaz, YOLDA Initiative. Restoring the Aegean Ocean 
  • Liz Chamberlin, Innovation Group Director, Point Blue Conservation Science/CalGBA
  • Geneva E. B. Thompson, California Deputy Secretary for Tribal Affairs 

Targets: 2, 22     

SESSION 7 
Biodiversity and Health: Operationalizing One Health from Monitoring to Integrated Implementation
Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation have profound implications for human, animal, plant and ecosystem health. Yet biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, veterinary and public health, restoration and land management are still often addressed through separate institutions and policy frameworks. One Health and other integrated approaches can help bridge these divides by recognizing that the health of people and animals depends on functioning, resilient ecosystems. The session will respond directly to the COP17 agenda on biodiversity and health, including implementation of the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health and ongoing work to strengthen integrated science-based indicators, metrics and approaches for measuring progress. It will examine what we currently know, where important monitoring and capacity gaps remain, and how biodiversity-and-health considerations can be translated into practical implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Key questions

  • How can the Global Action Plan on Biodiversity and Health and One Health approaches be translated into practical GBF implementation? 
  • How can One Health and biodiversity-and-health approaches support implementation of the voluntary guidance for sustainable wildlife management? 
  • How can biodiversity, wildlife-health, ecosystem-health and public-health monitoring systems be better connected? 
  • What can wildlife trade, conservation translocations, restoration and landscape management teach us about managing both health risks and biodiversity-health co-benefits? 
  • What institutional coordination, community participation, multiple knowledge systems, technical capacity and policy support are needed to integrate biodiversity and health more effectively across sectors? 

Session Leads: Consortium of Scientific Partners (CSP)  

Moderator: Carolina Castellanos, Humboldt Institute

Speakers:   

  • Alice. C. Hughes, State of knowledge on biodiversity and health: patterns, risks and gaps.
  • Chadia Wannous, WOAH. Monitoring, surveillance and implementation gaps.
  • Francesca Vitali, Smithsonian. Wildlife health, translocations and ecosystem restoration: Kenya rhino range expansion. 
  • Paula Prist, IUCN. One Health and wildlife conservation
  • Servane Baufumé, Cirad and PREZODE. Socio-ecosystem health.          

Targets: 4, 5, 9, 11 

SESSION 8  
Business, finance, and nature-positive economies: Operationalizing the 2026 IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment and Fulfilling GBF Target 15
How can global economic forces be structurally aligned to achieve the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets? Mainstreaming biodiversity into business, finance, and accountability systems remains one of the most critical challenges for global implementation.
This session creates a high-level dialogue by operationalizing the landmark 2026 IPBES Methodological Assessment Report on Business and Biodiversity. Moving from global assessment to regional reality, the session will contrast the macro-findings of the IPBES report (focusing on business dependencies, impacts, and transformative options) with the practical, ground-level data.
To resolve the international debate on Target 15 (Corporate Disclosure and Accountability), this session brings together high-level corporate leaders, international financial experts, corporate sustainability practitioners, and global NGOs. By aligning the IPBES conceptual framework with corporate reality, Session 4B explores co-designing an international blueprint for nature-positive economies.

Session Leads:  Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), The University of Tokyo: Osamu Saito (Program Director, IGES / The University of Tokyo) 
Co-Leads:  International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS),Consortium of Scientific Partners (CSP)

Speakers: 
Part 1: Launching Global Metrics & Corporate Surveys (Setting the Baseline). (30 min)
Presentation 1: Overview of the 2026 IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment

  • Dr. Mark van Oorschot (PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency)

Presentation 2: Practical implications of IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment

  • Mr. Carlos Adolfo Hernandez Mercado (Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt) 

Part 2: Corporate Frontier & Creating an Enabling Environment. (30 min)

Presentation 3: Corporate Readiness and Practical Technical Gaps in Japan

  • Takao Aiba, Chair of Planning Sub-committee, Keidanren Nature Conservation Council / Project General Manager, Toyota Motor Corporation

Presentation 4: Metrics for Nature-Positive Construction: Scaling Up Ecosystem Evaluation through Timber Circulation and Habitat Scoring

  • Ms. Midori Sasaki (Taisei Corporation)

Part 3: Interactive Science-Policy-Business Panel Discussion. (30 min)

Core Dialogue Questions:

  1. How can we enhance interaction across Science-Policy-Business-Society partnership?
  2. What concrete mechanisms should governments and financial sectors adopt to reward enterprises investing in socio-ecological restoration?

SESSION 9 
Workshop on financing landscape-governance 
Landscape/territorial/bioregional approaches advance socio-ecological resilience by considering the conservation and restoration of nature alongside issues of equity, inclusivity, and people’s wellbeing priorities. This cuts across the mandates of all MEAs and SDGs.  Sustaining such approaches requires coordinated actions and alignment of values, purposes, and visions among different actors and institutions. The effectiveness of landscape governance depends on the institutions’ ability to deliver on the multidimensional goals in the long term. This further depends on levels of accessible investment for various activities in a landscape/ seascape decision-making cycle.  
 Drawing on empirical evidence from landscape initiatives across different regions who are linked to networks such as the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI), 1000 Landscapes for a Billion People Initiative and the Model Forest Network, this interactive workshop will highlight the challenges posed by inadequate investment in landscape governance across the decision cycle chain. Furthermore, it will also exposit funding gaps and leveraging various funding opportunities in a bid to strengthen investment orchestration to support such integrated implementation activities.
Topics that will be covered in the workshop on financing landscape governance

  • Landscape Governance and Associated variable and fixed costs
  • Institutions and co-ordination
  • Gaps in meeting costs, estimating minimum viable costs
  • Finance requirements- in the context of policy convergence
  • Investment orchestration- opportunities to leverage

The event will be organized as a fishbowl session following an introductory presentation
UNU-IAS target

Session Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences   
Co-Leads: United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)

Speakers:  
Facilitation: Suneetha M. Subramanian (UNU-IAS):
Presentation of context: Juan Ramos (Persimmon Co-Lab)/ Max Levy (Exo Ag Partners)
Starter Panelists:
Tom Derr (Persimmon Co-Lab)

SESSION 10  
Optimising the role of the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centres – Capacity-building and technical cooperation

Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires connecting available knowledge with countries’ needs and capacities. This session will explore the role of the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centers (TSCCs) in connecting scientific institutions, policymakers and other actors contributing to implementation. Within the COP17 Science Forum, it will consider how the centers can help translate the evidence, tools and partnerships generated by the scientific community into concrete responses to national and regional priorities.
Drawing on experiences across regions, the discussion will examine how to identify and prioritize requests for support, mobilize existing capacities and facilitate learning among countries. It will explore opportunities to adapt tools and methodologies to different contexts, strengthen biodiversity monitoring and promote the use of scientific assessments, including those of IPBES, to support the implementation of the Framework’s targets. The dialogue will also consider how needs identified through the centers can inform new collaborations and research agendas, strengthening the exchange between knowledge generation and its application.
The session will seek to identify opportunities for collaboration between the centers and organizations participating in the forum, alongside mechanisms to sustain these connections beyond COP17. Particular attention will be given to translating the knowledge and proposals discussed at the forum into cooperation initiatives that respond to countries’ needs. The session is expected to generate practical guidance for strengthening collaboration across the network of centers and their contribution to implementing the Framework through science, capacity sharing and cooperation.

Key questions:

  • How can TSSCs help countries use existing scientific knowledge and tools to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework, within their current mandates and capacities?
  • How can existing partnerships and initiatives support the exchange of expertise and lessons across the TSSC network?
  • How can the scientific community make its knowledge and tools more accessible and useful in addressing country priorities already identified through TSSCs?
  • How can existing scientific networks and initiatives complement the work of TSSCs and improve countries’ access to technical support?

Panelists:

  • Erie Tamale, CBD Secretariat, 
  • Sandra Perdomo and Carlos Hernandez, Humboldt Institute,
  • Mahlodi Tau, Chief Director, Biodiversity Information and Policy Advice, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 
  • Han de Koeijer, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences,  
  • Gregoire Dubois, Joint Research Centre – European Commission, 
  • Yan Liu, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (TSCC China)
  • Pierre Spielewoy, CO-OP4CBD, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, France,  
  • Garabet Kazanjian, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment.  

Session Lead: Consortium of Scientific Partners 

SESSION 11  
Delivering 30×30 through Transformative Biodiversity Governance
 Achieving the 30×30 ambition requires more than expanding protected and conserved areas. It calls for transformative change in how societies value, govern, finance and manage ecosystems. This panel will explore how protected areas, Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), spatial planning, ecological connectivity, inclusive, integrative and transdisciplinary governance, effective and equitable management can together deliver meaningful and lasting biodiversity outcomes. The session will examine the role of the scientific community in advancing this transformation through evidence-based solutions, innovative technologies and practical tools. The session will be guided by the CBD’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas.

Session Leads: American University of Armenia (AUA)

  • Consortium of Scientific Partners 

Co-Leads: UNESCO 

Moderators: Arsen Gasparyan, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment; Yue Yu, UNESCO

Speakers:   

  • Raquel Negrao, From Important Plant Areas to 30×30: Integrating Plant Diversity into Spatial Planning, and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
  • Areg Karapetyan, Specifics and potential of the first proposed Biosphere Reserve in Armenia to advance the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
  • Nigel Dudley, Transformative biodiversity governance for protected and conserved areas (incl. OECMs)
  • Hans Thulstrup, Chief of Section, Man and the Biosphere Programme, UNESCO – Collective contribution to the KMGBF: key findings from the People and Nature in UNESCO-designated sites report
  • Deanna Armbruster, Executive Director of Santa Monica Mountains Fund. Her work contributes towards implementing California’s 30×30 initiative
  • Brandy McDaniels, Madesi Band Cultural Representative for the Pit River Tribe, leader of the successful campaign to protect the Sattitla Highlands  

Targets: 1,3

SESSION 12  
Nature-Positive Recovery: Building Resilience from disasters and conflict 
Cities and communities across the world are increasingly exposed to multiple and interconnected crises, including climate-related disasters, armed conflicts, biodiversity loss, and growing social inequalities. While these crises often damage ecosystems, infrastructure, and governance systems, they also stimulate new forms of collective action and community innovation. Nature-based solutions and civic ecology practices have emerged as important pathways for recovery and resilience. Community gardens, ecological restoration initiatives, urban greening projects, informal stewardship networks, and local biodiversity actions can simultaneously contribute to ecosystem recovery, social cohesion, food security, mental well-being, and climate adaptation.

Experiences from conflict-affected regions, disaster-prone regions in Asia, and other crisis contexts demonstrate that local communities often continue environmental stewardship even when formal institutions are weakened. These initiatives represent diverse social responses to crises and provide valuable lessons for implementing biodiversity and sustainability agendas under conditions of uncertainty.

This session explores how biodiversity conservation, nature-based solutions, and civic ecology practices can support long-term regeneration in cities affected by disasters and conflicts. Particular attention will be given to community-led recovery, youth engagement, environmental justice, and the role of response diversity in strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity.

The session aims to:

  • Explore how nature-based solutions contribute to ecological and social recovery in crisis-affected urban areas.
  • Present evidence on civic ecology practices and community stewardship emerging in disaster and conflict contexts.
  • Introduce response diversity as a framework for understanding how different actors contribute to recovery and resilience.
  • Discuss opportunities for integrating biodiversity and nature-based solutions into recovery planning and policy.
  • Generate recommendations for strengthening nature-positive and climate-neutral recovery pathways. 

Session Leads: 

  • Giles B. Sioen, Sustainable Society Design Center, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo

Speakers/moderators:

  • Marine Elbakidze, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo, Japan; Södertörn University, Sweden; Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine
  • Giles B. Sioen, Sustainable Society Design Center, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, University of Tokyo
  • Hovik Sayadyan, GIZ Armenia
  • Sunita Chaudhary, ICIMOD, Nepal,
  • Nurit Katz, Chief Sustainability Officer for the University of California and the City of Los Angeles/CalGBA
  • Satenik Mnatsakanyan, Akian College of Science and Engineering, American University of Armenia,
  • Marco Pütz, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WS,
  • Kensuke Fukushi, Director and Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo. 

Targets: 2, 12, 14, 22

SESSION 13
Overcoming the challenges of translating data to policy; Panel discussion

This session will be a round table discussion focusing on some of the major challenges at all components of the data to policy pipeline. This includes not only the processes and pipelines involved in collating the data, but also how this translates into policy, and when it does not. This panel will look at all parts of that process, including assessing global monitoring through networks and data mobilisation and engagement, complementarity between MEAs and their relationships with complementary organizations (IPCC and IPBES), and the gaps and barriers in reporting highlighted by the recent Global review. The session will aim to explore the challenges, and also the approaches being taken to overcome them, and to develop better indicators to overcome gaps in our current monitoring frameworks.

Session Leads: IUBS, International Union of Biological Sciences   

Moderator: Alice C. Hughes

Speakers

  • Hilary Goodson, GBIF. Developing partnerships to mobilise data
  • Nazli Demirel, University of Istanbul. Data to policy in the context of IPBES and IPCC
  • Samantha Hill, UNEP-WCMC. Scaling science for monitoring
  • Cátia Canteiro, Plantlife. Assaying the status of data-poor taxa
  • Alla Aleksanyan, Building National Monitoring systems
  • Mishal Gudka, University of Melbourne. Developing a Red List for Ecosystems
  • Ronja Fischer, Global Youth Biodiversity Network. 

Targets: All

SESSION 14  
Understanding the dimensions of wildlife trade
Wildlife trade poses one of the greatest risks to the survival of species. Yet despite this, the data to understand trade remains highly limited. For example, whilst IPBES estimated around 50,000 species were in trade in their sustainable use assessment, our most recent assessment found that more than double this, at 103,000 species were in use and trade. In this session we aim to review our knowledge, and the current gaps. This includes a review of the policies use to monitor data on trade, the parameters they include, the gaps and challenges in interoperability and the gap between the data that is collected, and the data which is actually needed to assess what is sustainable. The speakers here will include academics, governments, NGOs and IGOs to provide a comprehensive overview of our knowledge and the gaps, and will highlight the data we actually need to assess trade, and its sustainability, and what governments and other entities could do to overcome these data and knowledge gaps. Lastly, without data on what is in trade, where it is from, and what the impacts are on wild populations; we cannot gauge its sustainability and impact; at present we have very little of this data, underscoring the urgency to do better to collect the data we need to sustainably manage trade.

Session Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences  

Speakers:  

  • Alice. C. Hughes, Overview of what is in trade and what are the major gaps. 
  • Anastasiya Timoshyna, TRAFFIC. Illegal wildlife trade 
  • Kim Friedman, FAO. Legal trade and monitoring – Fisheries.
  • Laxmi Aggarwal, Botanic Garden Conservation International, Use and trade of plants

Panelists: 

  • Monica Mwale, SANBI
  • Nazli Demeril, University of Istanbul 
  • All other speakers

Targets: 5, 9, 10

SESSION 15
Knowledge management and exchange
Barriers and challenges for inclusive participation and co-creation of knowledge solutions, for effective implementation, are still remaining. These can relate to how to include local and traditional knowledge, citizen science and other more participatory information (coming from different types of “evidence”) that will be essential to be included for both, implementation and monitoring. Also, for reporting, data needs to be digitalized, accessible, reliable, interoperable, and reusable.    
It is also well known, that information is one of the main bottlenecks for measuring progress towards the GBFKM targets. For instance, some biodiversity variables were proposed as essentials for measuring biodiversity (Pereira et al, 2013), but just recently (Morán-Ordóñez et al., 2026) made an analysis showing that Europe, the group of countries from which one will expect measurements will be easier, suffers of some key barriers for using adequate information. Now, 27 European countries have common regulations, strategies and projects on biodiversity, already for some 20 years at least. Yet, they are not totally or properly ready. This brings-up some questions and concerns for other regions where inequalities or lack of inter-government coordination are even lighter.
An option for gathering or completing information is by combining national with global statistics (Campbell et al, 2020), but they need to be interoperable. Yet, another example comes from Canada (Buxton, et al, 2021), where they have proposed some shortcuts for moving from knowledge to action. They highlight the importance of appropriate mechanisms (including indigenous knowledge systems for translating information into action.
In this session we will discuss more on governance, and mechanism for information to flow into action, monitoring and reporting. We will start with the European gaps and challenges for biodiversity monitoring, followed by some examples on incorporating indigenous and local knowledge and citizen science.

Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences   

Speakers/panelists:   

  • Maria Blasi, Europe’s bottlenecks to the operationalization of Essential Biodiversity Variables for Environmental Policy Support
  • Nirmala Séon-Massin, MNHN, Citizen Science for Biodiversity Monitoring and Global Reporting
  • Joseph Karanja, BES-Net ILK Project Officer, UNESCO. Rationale and approaches of inclusion of Indigenous and local knowledge in scientific assessments
  • Divija Jata, Belgium Biodiversity Platform, RESPIN project. Including knowledge holders in IPBES and IPCC processes- barriers and potentials
  • WarīNkwī Flores, PhD candidate, Indigenous data architect, technologist, and political economist from the Kara & Kichwa Nations of Ecuador. As founder and Chief RDI Officer of Kinray Hub
  • Gillian Bowser, Colorado State university/IUBS. CARE  and FAIR incorporating diverse knowledge systems into international environmental assessments
  • Antonio Mendoza, Vice-Chairman, Pit River Tribe 
  • Vincent Rousson, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue; Science, Partnerships and Territorial Knowledge: Building Regenerative Resource Regions
  • Nirmala Séon-Massin, MNHN, Citizen Science for Biodiversity Monitoring and Global Reporting.
  • Moderator: Marina Kosmus(GIZ/IPBES values assessment)

SESSION 16  
Using data to guide action
Monitoring progress towards the targets, however collation of the data to monitor progress towards global targets remains challenging to assess. Here we will first discuss the outcome of the global assessment, the level of reporting, gaps and challenges. We then compare this direct to data available, and how these two elements compare. Following from this we discuss approaches to enhance monitoring and how scalable systems can be developed to improve the mobilisation of data at all scales. We also hear from the perspective of the CBD where efforts may be focused going forwards as well as the roles of the TSCCs in facilitating countries in developing programs to better monitor progress towards targets, how to report, and where gaps remain.

Session Leads: International Union of Biological Sciences  

  • Museum National D’Historie Naturelle

Co-Leads:

  • American University of Armenia (AUA)
  • Consortium of Scientific Partners

Speakers: 

  • Tara Moreau/ Carly Cowell, UBC Botanical Garden; Developing a global strategy for plant conservation-BGCI
  • Nirmala Seon Massin, Director of the Expertise at the MNHN, BOB: From Nature Data to Operational Management
  • Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Developing genetic indicators- Kew gardens
  • Catia Canteiro, Plantlife International, A New Global Strategy for Fungal Conservation: A Practical Pathway to Action  
  • Violeta Munoz-Fuentes, UNEP-WCMC, From Data to Decisions: Building UN Biodiversity Lab to Support Biodiversity Monitoring and Reporting
  • Davnah Urbach, Monitoring in Mountain Ecosystems; 

SESSION 17  
DSI and benefit sharing: experiences and lessons learned from research partnerships
Discussions on digital sequence information (DSI) under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) have largely focused on the design of a multilateral mechanism (MLM) for monetary benefit-sharing. Yet for many researchers and institutions, benefit-sharing is already a daily practice: it takes the form of collaborative research, joint publications, data sharing, mentoring, technology transfer and institutional capacity-building. These non-monetary benefits (NMBs), generated through the everyday conduct of science under the Nagoya Protocol and, increasingly, under national DSI-related measures, remain under-documented and insufficiently connected to the policy processes now shaping how NMBs should be recognized, reported and scaled.
The IPBES Nexus Assessment makes the case that capacity building and non-monetary benefit-sharing are not a secondary concern: they are part of the governance infrastructure the Nexus approach calls for, the mechanisms through which knowledge, skills and tools move across institutions, countries and knowledge systems. This session will consider the experience of researchers involved in international research partnerships that are providing DSI capacity building and supporting DSI benefit sharing. Speakers will share lessons learned from their experience and what could be done to increase and accelerate these actions, in support of the objectives of the Convention and implementation of the DSI multilateral system.

Session co-Leads:  DSI Scientific Network; International Union of Biological Science  

Speakers:

  • Guilherme da Silva, University of Para, Brazil
  • Seon Lee, KRIBB, South Korea
  • Solene Correard, Wise Ancestors, France/USA
  • Martha Cepeda, CorpoGen, Colombia
  • Davit Khachatryan, AUA Acopian Center for the Environment, Armenia
  • Servane Baufumé, Science-policy officer (CIRAD)

Target 13 and more (10…) 

Closing remarks : Summarize emerging key messages and next steps, post-Forum communication products, and follow-up science-policy coordination.

Panel to summarize, give recommendations to COP, draft next steps – science policy interface, integrate knowledge systems (citizen science, indigenous and local knowledge)

  • A representative from the SCBD
  • A representative of the Armenian Presidency 
  • A representative from the IUBS
  • A representative from Humboldt 
  • A representative from the Smithsonian
  • A representative from the University of Tokyo 

The seventh Science-Policy Forum for Biodiversity

1. Background and Rationale

The adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) at CBD COP15 in 2022 marked a pivotal moment in global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the KMGBF calls for transformative, science-based and inclusive action across sectors to achieve the 2050 Vision of Living in Harmony with Nature.

COP17 will include a global review of collective progress in implementing the KMGBF. This review will sharpen attention on where implementation is advancing, where gaps remain, and how scientific evidence, Indigenous and local knowledge, data, tools and technologies can more effectively inform decisions and action at national and subnational levels.

The Science–Policy Forum for Biodiversity (SPFB) was established in 2006 through a memorandum of understanding between the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS) and the CBD Secretariat, in collaboration with host countries. Since 2021, the Forum has been coordinated in partnership with the International Conference on Sustainability Science (ICSS) and the Consortium of Scientific Partners (CSP). It provides a dedicated platform for strengthening the science–policy–society interface in support of CBD implementation.

The Seventh Science–Policy Forum for Biodiversity will coincide with the Forum’s twentieth anniversary and align with the COP17 theme, “Taking Action for Nature — a global shift from words to action, from awareness to responsibility.” The Forum will therefore focus on practical pathways through which knowledge can support implementation, mainstreaming, accountability and transformative change.

2. Forum Focus

The Forum will be organized around two mutually reinforcing areas of focus:

  1. Nexus approaches in practice. The Forum will examine how scientific and other knowledge systems can support integrated action across biodiversity, climate, land, food, water and health. Case studies will demonstrate how tools, methodologies and transdisciplinary approaches have been taken up in policy and practice, including lessons from both successful and unsuccessful implementation.
  2. Mechanisms for effective science–policy interaction and transformative change. The Forum will explore how science, policy and society can interact more effectively through innovative policy instruments, rights-based and participatory approaches, stronger consultation across knowledge systems, and improved governance of data, technology and decision-support tools.

3. Objectives

The Seventh Science–Policy Forum for Biodiversity aims to:

  • Strengthen the science–policy–society interface in support of effective KMGBF implementation;
  • Showcase science-based and knowledge-informed approaches that enable transformative action and integrated “nexus” implementation;
  • Highlight practical tools, data systems, technologies and governance approaches that support decision-making at national and subnational levels;
  • Facilitate dialogue among scientists, policymakers, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, youth, civil society and other stakeholders;
  • Provide a dedicated space for dialogue on subregional technical and scientific cooperation through the CBD Technical and Scientific Support Centres (TSSCs);
  •  Assess how science and diverse knowledge systems are contributing to progress across GBF goals and targets;
  • Identify barriers to uptake and implementation, including capacity, finance, governance, data and institutional coordination gaps; and
  • Generate concise, actionable messages to inform COP17 deliberations and ongoing CBD processes

 4. Thematic Alignment

The programme will align with COP17 priorities, the KMGBF and relevant SBSTTA agenda areas. Indicative thematic linkages include:

  • Integrated implementation across biodiversity, climate, land, food, water and health;
  • Monitoring, indicators, national reporting and the global review of collective progress;
  • Spatial planning, ecological connectivity, protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs);
  • Restoration, sustainable use, wildlife trade and nature-positive implementation;
  • Data governance, digital sequence information, open science, artificial intelligence and decision-support technologies;
  • Biodiversity mainstreaming across business, finance, cities, landscapes and seascapes;
  • Capacity-building, technical and scientific cooperation, and the role of TSSCs;
  • Public engagement, education and communication for biodiversity action; and
  • Operationalization of the IPBES Nexus and Transformative Change Assessments.

5. Format and Expected Outputs

  • Two-day official parallel event during CBD COP17;
  • A combination of plenary sessions, parallel thematic sessions, moderated roundtables and interactive workshop-style discussions;
  • Case studies that connect evidence and knowledge to implementation, including candid discussion of enabling factors, limitations and lessons learned;
  • Participation by scientists, policymakers, practitioners, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, museums, research institutions, field stations, biodiversity centres, youth and other stakeholders.

Expected outputs include:

  • Synthesized key messages and recommendations communicated to the COP17 plenary and relevant CBD processes;
  • A concise post-Forum report capturing examples, implementation lessons, gaps and priority actions;
  • Post-Forum communication products designed to extend the Forum’s reach beyond COP17; and
  • Opportunities for continued collaboration and follow-up across the SPFB, CSP, ICSS, TSSCs and participating partners.

 

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