Yerevan, Armenia – At the UN Biodiversity COP17, negotiations have hit a plateau. Greenpeace calls on governments to get their act together and focus on the actions needed to achieve the targets of the globally agreed framework to protect biodiversity (KM-GBF) and prevent corporate lobbyists from capturing the negotiations. The ministerial High-Level Segment, taking place during the second week, must provide the political leadership needed to deliver a strong, action-oriented response to the Convention's first Global Review, with just four years left to meet those targets.
An Lambrechts, Biodiversity Politics Expert, Greenpeace International said: "COP17 has taken stock of the gaps that must be closed to keep the 2030 targets within reach. Countries agree there is a problem. They now need to own the moment and move from recognition to action, match ambition with sufficient funding flowing in the right direction and address the drivers of biodiversity loss. Governments must send a strong signal that they are ready to walk the talk. That includes reforming subsidies and fiscal and financial policies to align with nature and human rights protection."
Language on human rights-based approaches and the rights and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities also remains under pressure across several agenda items. Discussions on the governance of the new subsidiary body on Article 8(j) raise concerns about respect for self-determination, as governments debate how Indigenous Peoples and local communities should be represented rather than allowing them to decide for themselves.
Solomon "Uncle Sol" Kaho'ohalahala, Indigenous Native Hawaiian Elder, said: "It is unacceptable that governments are still trying to decide who is going to represent Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the negotiations, given our critical role as nature protectors. Indigenous Peoples and local communities are not just terms to be discussed in negotiation rooms, and added or deleted from text agreements. We are the ones standing on the frontlines of nature protection, fighting for our survival and for the future of the planet. We can make our own decisions, our rights must be respected and our voices must be heard."
On Saturday evening, Greenpeace lit up Yerevan's iconic Opera Theatre with a question for world leaders: "What future do you want?" The projection brought the biodiversity crisis into the heart of the city, highlighting the risk of missing 30×30 and money flowing to destructive industries. Ahead of COP17's final week and ministerial High-Level Segment, its message was clear: "Delay is destruction."
Camila Jardim, International Political Expert, Greenpeace Brazil said: "The decisions governments make in Yerevan will matter beyond this conference. COP17 must send a strong signal to the UN climate conference, COP31, that climate and biodiversity action must reinforce each other, with the protection and restoration of high-integrity ecosystems and respect for rights guiding both decisions and implementation. Governments must use this final week to agree on concrete actions and return home ready to deliver them. There is no time for further delay."
