Info session on the UN Convention on Biological Diversity process

Scope and objectives

On 9 July 2026, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC), in partnership with the European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD) will host an event to explore how farmers, fishers, and forest owners’ organisations (at the EU and international level) can better coordinate, strengthen their engagement, and contribute more effectively to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) process ahead of COP17. 

The EESC will continue monitor their effective participation in the negotiations and, when possible, support them in the process. 

The event will be organised in a hybrid format and will aim to:

• Provide an overview of the CBD process and negotiations;
• Strengthen the capacity of the UN farmers’ Major Group to engage in the CBD process;
• Creating space for farmers, fishers, and forest owners’ organisations to get together and coordinate ahead of COP17.

🎬 The event will be web-streamed live on our website. ✅ No registration required. 

Background

The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will convene in Armenia in October 2026. In this context, ensuring the meaningful participation and active consultation of key stakeholders, such as farmers, fishers, and forest owners, is crucial. Civil society organisations play a critical role in implementing biodiversity targets, therefore facilitating their effective contribution in policymaking, and strengthening their participation in international debates, will contribute to greater transparency and accountability in the CBD process.

In particular, farmers, fishers and forest owners are key actors in the implementation of the following targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework:

• TARGET 1: Plan and Manage all Areas To Reduce Biodiversity Loss
• TARGET 2: Restore 30% of all Degraded Ecosystems
• TARGET 3: Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas
• TARGET 7: Reduce Pollution to Levels That Are Not Harmful to Biodiversity
• TARGET 10: Enhance Biodiversity and Sustainability in Agriculture, Aquaculture, Fisheries, and Forestry
• TARGET 16: Enable Sustainable Consumption Choices To Reduce Waste and Overconsumption

However, persistent challenges remain due to the limited resources and capacity of these groups, especially those represented under the UN farmers’ Major Group. Unlike for other UN conferences, farmers, fishers, and forest owners remain less connected to the CBD process than other stakeholders and face difficulties in effectively following and contributing to negotiations. This gap contributes to a growing disconnection from international processes, increased frustration among stakeholders, and ultimately weaker implementation of biodiversity policies on the ground.

💬Questions?
✏️Contact us