Against the backdrop of mounting global environmental pressures and in the lead-up to COP17 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the high-level meeting “Reinforcing Global Biodiversity Governance in the Face of Contemporary Challenges,” held within the framework of the Yerevan Dialogue 2026, focused on the urgent need to strengthen international biodiversity governance and accelerate implementation efforts.
The session was moderated by Calum Nicholson, Director of Research of the Danube Institute of the United Kingdom. The keynote address was delivered by Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of Armenia. The panel also featured Ivana Živković, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, and Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS; Kaveh Zahedi, Assistant Director-General and Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment of the Food and Agriculture Organization; Mher Margaryan, Ambassador and Special Envoy of the COP17 Armenian Presidency of Armenia; and Mossi Raz, Former Chairperson of the Israel–Armenia Friendship Group of Israel.
The discussion addressed the intensifying global biodiversity crisis, characterized by accelerating ecosystem degradation, growing species loss, and increasing pressure on essential ecosystem services. Participants emphasized that these trends threaten not only environmental sustainability, but also economic development, food security, public health, livelihoods, and broader global stability. While recognizing progress achieved through the adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), participants noted that global efforts to halt biodiversity loss remain insufficient due to persistent implementation gaps, unequal access to financial resources, and the growing effects of geopolitical fragmentation on international cooperation.
Particular attention was devoted to the challenge of transforming biodiversity commitments into concrete and measurable outcomes. Discussions focused on strengthening implementation mechanisms, enhancing international coordination, and mobilizing adequate financial support in order to accelerate progress toward global biodiversity targets by 2030. Participants also highlighted the importance of the first Global Review under the KMGBF as a mechanism for identifying gaps and improving implementation efforts.
The discussion further emphasized Armenia’s role as host and incoming Presidency of COP17, particularly in advancing an implementation-oriented agenda and reinforcing multilateral cooperation ahead of the conference. Participants underscored that addressing biodiversity loss requires coordinated international action, renewed political commitment, and practical approaches capable of narrowing the gap between global ambition and effective implementation.
