COP17 delivers first global biodiversity progress review
The first global review of progress toward reversing nature loss by 2030 was completed at COP17 in Yerevan, warning that current efforts are insufficient and urging accelerated action to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets.
Countries have concluded the first global review of progress toward reversing nature loss by 2030. The review, finalized at the COP17 biodiversity summit in Yerevan, delivers a stark warning that the 2030 targets will fail without immediate and scaled-up action from nations worldwide.
The assessment noted with deep concern that the 2050 nature goals may also be at risk if the 2030 targets are not achieved. It found that progress, while relatively positive with good country engagement, remains insufficient. The review urged countries to accelerate implementation, including by increasing their ambition.
COP17 delivers first signed-off global review with strong political momentum
The global biodiversity progress review was one of the keenly anticipated outcomes from COP17. It was seen as less controversial than other negotiation strands and was swiftly signed off at the start of the final plenary with just one last-minute addition. This smooth adoption marked a breakthrough in efforts to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.
Over 100 countries reached agreements at COP17. The closing plenary saw COP17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan, Armenia's environment minister, adopt key decisions on the review and resource mobilization. The talks marked the halfway point of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the Paris Agreement for nature first made in 2022.
The resulting Yerevan Pathway emphasizes whole-of-government coordination and participation by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and young people. It prioritizes stronger national biodiversity strategies, improved monitoring, increased financing, technology transfer, and capacity-building.
COP17 resolves procedural hurdles and sets COP18 host in Quito
The successful adoption at COP17 overcame significant procedural hurdles from the previous summit. The global review had been suspended at COP16 in Cali due to a loss of quorum and was only resumed in Rome in February 2025. Countries signed off on all major negotiation texts at COP17, a contrast to the previous conference which ran over time.
During the Yerevan talks, divisions over biodiversity finance, harmful subsidies, and scientific evidence persisted. The review text had contained 152 brackets as of 19 October, indicating areas of disagreement. Smaller contact group discussions, co-chaired by Sanne Kruid from the Netherlands and Sivendra Michael from Fiji, worked to reduce these brackets.
The review encouraged countries to accelerate reform of nature-harming subsidies in accordance with national circumstances. It was based largely on a global report and other information provided by countries. Separately, countries voted to host COP18 in Quito, Ecuador, in 2028.
Countries must now submit updated national biodiversity strategies by 2026 to meet the Yerevan Pathway's stronger action requirements.
