#SBI7 shifted into high gear today, completing first readings to keep negotiations on track. Agenda items: financial mechanism capacity-building & technical/scientific cooperation; biodiversity mainstreaming; Cartagena and Nagoya Protocol reviews; and synthetic biology. @unbiodiversity.bsky.social

The first global review of the #KMGBF offers a snapshot of implementation progress and a tool for accelerating it. Delegates focused on the support needed to transform ambition into measurable outcomes. #SBI7 #biodiversity @unbiodiversity.bsky.social ➡️ enb.iisd.org/cbd-subsidia...

#SBI7 Andres Duque Solis, Embassy of Colombia in Kenya said #UNBiodiversity COP 16 in Cali demonstrated that ambition can be built where there is a common will for action. He urged achieving tangible benefits from the Multilateral Mechanism and Cali Fund, as key mechanisms for #KMGBF implementation

#SBI7 In opening remarks by #UNBiodiversity Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker urged Parties to address the hurdles of the #KMGBF implementation with wisdom and stamina in order to accelerate in the four years to 2030 the fulfilment of the #KMGBF promise.”

#SBI7 Elizabeth Mrema, Deputy Executive Director, @unep , reported that the #KMGBF in the last three years has incited unprecedented global commitment . Quoting @antonioguterres UNSG she concluded, #KMGBF has shown the way forward. "But we must pick up the pace – with ambition and accountability.”

#SBI7 Chair Clarissa Souza Della Nina (Brazil) in opening remarks, "We are here to strengthen foundation of critical decisions to be taken at #UNBiodiversity #COP17Armenia including the global review on #KMGBF implementation," and urged a solution-oriented approach within the 10 days of the meeting.

#SBI7 taking place in @UN_Nairobi 4–12 August 2026 - Nairobi, Kenya. Agenda: www.cbd.int/meetings/SBI... #UNBiodiversity

Regulating #deepsea #mining requires a holistic framework to protect the marine environment, but complex, controversial issues dominated the meeting, including scientific uncertainty, unilateral actions, and benefit-sharing. #ISA31 #seabed #OceanGovernance ENB summary: enb.iisd.org/internationa...

With little appetite to reopen compromises, #SBSTTA28 delegates endorsed recommendations, preserving the balance reached through intense talks. #biodiversity @unbiodiversity.bsky.social ➡️https://enb.iisd.org/cbd-subsidiary-body-scientific-technical-technological-advice-sbstta28-sbi7-1Aug2026

The #SBSTTA28 Contact Group on Planning, Monitoring, Reporting & Review co-chaired by Sanne Kruid (UK) and Paulina Stowhas (Chile)concluded after six meetings & two Friends of the Chair sessions producing balanced compromise on global review of collective progress and monitoring framework.

#SBSTTA28 Contact group on Programme of Work on Protected Areas co-chaired by Ruliyana Susanti (Indonesia) and Adèle Fardoux (France) completing negotiations of draft decisions on the final day of the meeting. #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

#ISA31 closed with interim arrangements for deep-sea mining contractors' observer status requests, and intersessional work on a possible advisory opinion on legal implications of unilateral #deepseamining ➡️ enb.iisd.org/internationa...

At #ISA31, Assembly President Oliver Whitehead (the Netherlands) thanked all delegates for a productive session and for reaching consensus on positive decisions, and gaveled the meeting to a close at 17:29 pm. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

At #ISA31, ISA Secretary-General Leticia Carvalho, in her closing remarks, thanked all participants for their active engagement and encouraged them to uphold the spirit of cooperation and mutual respect that has long defined the Authority’s endeavors. #seabed #mining #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

At #ISA31, delegates decided to continue deliberations intersessionally on a draft decision proposed by Vanuatu, relating to ensuring adequate scientific understanding to support informed decision-making. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

At #ISA31, Assembly members accepted requests for observer status from 11 civil society organizations and adopted a decision on interim arrangements in respect of requests for observer status submitted by contractors. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

At #ISA31, Assembly members took note of the ISA Secretary-General’s annual report and elected members to fill vacancies in the Council for the period 2027 to 2030. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

With the first negotiated draft decisions for the #CBD COP now adopted in plenary, attention remains on whether decisions on the review of collective progress on Global Biodiversity Framework implementation will cross the finish line. #SBSTTA28 #GBF #biodiversity ➡️ enb.iisd.org/cbd-subsidia...

Highlights and images for 31 July 2026

enb.iisd.org

At #ISA31, the Assembly decided to proceed with intersessional work on the potential need for a request for an ITLOS advisory opinion on the legal implications of deep-sea activities outside the ISA framework. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

#SBSTTA28 Plenary adopts CRPs on Matters Related to the work of #IIPBES and Marine and Coastal Biodiversity. #BizBiodiversity #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

#SBSTTA28 The Contact Group on Sustainable Wildlife Management meeting co-chaired by Lactitia Tshitwamulomon (South Africa) and Carolina Caceres (Canada) discussing draft decisions to COP 17 and the voluntary global guidance on the sustainable management of wildlife #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

The periodic review of the regime for the seabed and whether to request an advisory opinion from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the legal implications of #deepseamining outside the ISA framework dominated #ISA31 talks Thursday ➡️ enb.iisd.org/internationa...

At #ISA31, delegates consider a potential request for an advisory opinion from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea on the legal implications for the ISA of activities in the Area undertaken by non-state parties of #UNCLOS. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

At #ISA31, Assembly President Oliver Whitehead (the Netherlands) guides delegates in their discussion on the periodic review of the international regime of the Area, with some underscoring the obligation under UNCLOS and others suggesting prioritizing the exploitation regulations for #seabed #mining

With just two days of negotiations remaining for #SBSTTA28, delegates faced an important question: Will the long hours spent around negotiating tables translate to tangible progress by the close of the meeting? Read ➡️ enb.iisd.org/cbd-subsidia... #biodiversity #GBF @unbiodiversity.bsky.social

At #ISA31, delegates conclude their discussion, taking note of the report of the interim Director-General of the Enterprise and continue deliberations on the annual report of the ISA Secretary-General on the Secretariat’s activities. #seabed #mining #OceanGovernance #DeepSeabedNeedsRules

#SBSTTA28 contact group on planning, monitoring, reporting and review meeting co-chaired by Sanne Kruid (Netherlands) and Paulina Stowhas (Chile) to discuss draft decisions on the global review of collective progress in GBF implementation #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

#SBSTTA28 Contact Group co-chaired by Patsy Nicole Contardo Urra (Chile) and Holly Kelley-Weil (UK) making progress on a draft recommendation on the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity, including links to the #HighSeasTreaty #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

#SBSTTA28 convenes Contact Group co-chaired by Dickson Chitupa (Zimbabwe) and Jan Plesnik (Czechia) to negotiate draft decisions on the work of #IPBES #NexusAssessment,#IPBES, #Biodiversity, and #TransformativeChange and #BizBiodiversity #KMGBF #UNBiodiversity

Delegates adopted financial decisions at #ISA31, including the budget for 2027-28, and focused on the activities around the Enterprise, the operational arm of the Authority mandated to conduct #deepseamining activities on behalf of humanity Read ➡️ enb.iisd.org/internationa...