The full implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) depends on the strong national commitments and actions on the ground. As biodiversity and wild life did not recognize state borders strong cooperation and joint initiatives among the parties of the Convention on the Biological Diversity are crucial to address the interlinked challenges.
As a host of the 17th conference of the parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) - COP17 and a country with exceptional biodiversity spread into the alpine meadows, highland forests, wetlands, and steppe ecosystems Armenia pays special attention to the importance of the local actions and peer learning as a driving force for the KMGBF implementation. During the COP17 the first Global Review of collective progress in implementing the KMGBF will be carried out. This process will assess progress, identify gaps and challenges, and highlight best practices, based on national reports, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), outcomes of regional dialogues, the best available scientific data, and contributions from non-governmental stakeholders. COP17 will be an inclusive event by ensuring the full and effective participation of all stakeholders, including Governments, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society, youth, women, and academia. Given that Africa is home of more than a quarter of global biodiversity, Africa’s voice should be heard and concerns to be addressed properly.
Through celebration of the International Day of Biodiversity and highlighting the importance of the local actions this Event is aimed at providing a platform for peer learning and promote cooperation between all stakeholders. For countries such as Armenia and many in African continent - landlocked and climate-vulnerable - the biodiversity is of paramount importance as its loss manifests through recurrent droughts, biodiversity loss, and environmental stress that undermine livelihoods and increase inequality.
The event will examine similar projects implemented in Armenia and Africa states such as the development of ecosystems interlinking protected areas and implementation of effective conservation in community conservation areas and address the issue of the biodiversity financing.