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Geneva Biodiversity Conference

14–29 March 2022 | Geneva, Switzerland

Convention on Biological Diversity – CBD

About

Delegates prepared the foundations for the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, which must adopt the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF) later this year. Work on the GBF progressed slowly so delegates had no choice but to schedule a fourth meeting of the Working Group in Nairobi in June 2022.

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Photo courtesy of Pam Chasek

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will hold three meetings concurrently that “are critical to developing an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework (GBF)”  in the words of the Convention’s Executive Secretary, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema. She highlighted “the responsibility to ensure that an effective GBF is successfully negotiated, and that urgent action is taken to implement it,” given that continued biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation have profound consequences in human societies and will pose an existential threat to future generations.

The CBD’s two subsidiary bodies, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) will convene, along with the Open-ended Working Group on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (WG2020). 

The two subsidiary bodies held the first parts of their current meetings (SBSTTA-24 and SBI-3) virtually in May and June 2021. The first part of WG2020-3 took place virtually from 23 August-3 September 2021. These sessions were suspended with the understanding that they would resume in person when the COVID-19 pandemic allowed, to finalize negotiations on the GBF and adopt recommendations for the second part of the UN Biodiversity Conference, which is supposed to convene in Kunming, China, later this year.

Following a final postponement, which moved the three meetings from January 2022 to March 2022, the disruption in the normal schedule of CBD meetings appears to be over. The concurrent convening of the resumed in-person meetings of the three bodies will enable an interactive dialogue, which, according to many participants, is necessary to reach a “package deal” on various items under negotiation and accomplish the shared goal. The common main objective of the meetings is to contribute to a robust GBF draft, which is expected to be finalized and agreed upon during the second part of the UN Biodiversity Conference. The first part of the UN Biodiversity Conference convened virtually from 11-15 October 2021, with a limited number of delegates physically present in Kunming, China. The meeting addressed budgetary and procedural matters, and included a high-level segment, which adopted the Kunming Declaration.

SBSTTA-24 is expected to contribute to the development of the GBF, including by incorporating conclusions from the fifth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, discussing the GBF’s monitoring framework, and providing the scientific and technical information necessary to support the review of goals, targets, indicators, and baselines. Other issues on SBSTTA-24’s agenda, all linked with the GBF, include:

  • Synthetic biology;
  • Marine and coastal biodiversity;
  • Ecologically or biologically significant marine areas;
  • Biodiversity and health;
  • Invasive alien species;
  • Risk assessment and risk management; and
  • The programme of work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).

During the first part of SBI-3, discussions on the GBF focused on developing: a communication strategy; the implementation plan and capacity-building action plan for the Cartagena Protocol on biosafety; a draft outline for a post-2020 gender plan of action; and other elements for the development of the GBF, including a decision on the periodicity of meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) beyond COP16. Other items on the agenda for SBI-3, directly or indirectly linked with the GBF, include:

  • Review of progress in the implementation of the Convention;
  • Review of the effectiveness of the processes under the Convention and its protocols;
  • Resource mobilization and the financial mechanism;
  • Mechanisms for reporting, assessment, and review of implementation;
  • Capacity building, technical and scientific cooperation, technology transfer, knowledge management, and communication;
  • Mainstreaming of biodiversity within and across sectors;
  • Specialized international access and benefit-sharing instruments in the context of Article 4.4 of the Nagoya Protocol;
  • Global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism (Article 10 of the Nagoya Protocol); and
  • Cooperation with other conventions, organizations, and initiatives.

WG2020-3 deliberations will focus on the first detailed GBF draft, addressing reports from the co-leads of five contact groups on:

  • Goals, milestones, and overall structure;
  • Reducing threats for biodiversity;
  • Tools and solutions for implementation and biodiversity mainstreaming;
  • Nature’s contributions to people; and
  • Digital sequence information on genetic resources.

After 22 months of delay, the conditions finally allow for an in-person meeting. The urgency to address the underlying issues has only increased over the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The three meetings will resume in person, in Geneva, from 14-29 March 2022.

View past and future events

Past event

1st Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Convention on Biological Diversity (ICCBD)

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2nd Session of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Convention on Biological Diversity (ICCBD)

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CBD COP 1

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CBD COP 2

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1st Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-1)

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2nd Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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CBD COP 3

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2nd Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-2)

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3rd Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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3rd Session of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-3)

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Workshop on Traditional Knowledge and Biological Diversity

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4th Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-4)

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CBD COP 4

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5th Session of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-5)

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6th Session of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (BSWG-6) and 1st Extraordinary Meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties (ExCOP)

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4th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) and 1st Intersessional Meeting on the Operations of the Convention (ISOC)

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Experts’ Panel on Access and Benefit-Sharing

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Resumed Session of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (ExCOP) for the Adoption of the Protocol on Biosafety to the CBD

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5th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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1st Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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CBD COP 5

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3rd Intersessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in Harmony with the CBD

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4th Intersessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in Harmony with the CBD

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1st Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP) to the CBD

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5th Intersessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in Harmony with the CBD

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6th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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2nd Meeting of the CBD Experts’ Panel on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS 2)

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6th Intersessional Contact Group Meeting on the Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in Harmony with the CBD

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2nd Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP) to the CBD

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1st Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing of the CBD (ABS 1)

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7th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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Open-ended Intersessional Meeting on the CBD Strategic Plan, National Reports and Implementation (MSP)

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2nd Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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CBD COP 6

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3rd Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP) to the CBD

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8th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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Open-ended Inter-Sessional Meeting on the Multi-Year Programme of Work for the CBD COP up to 2010 (MYPOW)

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9th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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2nd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing of the CBD (ABS 2)

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3rd Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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CBD COP 7 and 1st Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 1)

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Workshop on "Forests and Forest Ecosystems: Promoting Synergy in the Implementation of the Three Rio Conventions"

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10th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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3rd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 3)

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1st Meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Liability and Redress and 2nd Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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1st Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Protected Areas (PAs)

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1st Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Implementation (WGRI 1) of the CBD

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11th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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4th Meetings of the CBD Working Groups on Article 8(j) and on Access and Benefit-sharing

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4th Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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4th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 4)

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2nd Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Liability and Redress in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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3rd Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 3)

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CBD COP 8

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3rd Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Liability and Redress in the Context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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CBD SBSTTA 12 and 2nd meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI 2)

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5th Meetings of the CBD Working Groups on Access and Benefit-sharing and on Article 8(j)

Past event

4th Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Liability and Redress in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Past event

6th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 6)

Past event

2nd Meeting of the Ad hoc Open-ended Working Group on Protected Areas (WGPA 2) and 13th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

Past event

5th Meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group of Legal and Technical Experts on Liability and Redress in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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4th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 4)

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CBD COP 9

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1st Meeting of the Friends of the Co-Chairs on Liability and Redress under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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7th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 7)

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6th Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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8th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 8)

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2nd Meeting of the Friends of the Co-Chairs on Liability and Redress under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

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9th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (ABS 9)

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CBD SBSTTA 14 and WGRI 3

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14th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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3rd Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Implementation (WGRI 3) of the CBD

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Resumed 9th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit sharing of the CBD (Resumed ABS 9)

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5th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 5)

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CBD COP 10

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1st Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol to the CBD (ICNP 1)

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7th Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)

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15th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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16th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

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4th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Implementation (WGRI 4) of the CBD

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2nd Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing to the CBD

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UN Biodiversity Conference 2012 (Hyderabad)

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6th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 6)

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CBD COP 11

Past event

8th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j)
 and 17th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

Past event

3rd Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing to the CBD

Past event

5th Meeting of the CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on the Review of Implementation and 18th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

Past event

UN Biodiversity Conference 2014 (Pyeongchang)

Past event

7th Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 7)

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CBD COP 12

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20th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and 1st Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation

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UN Biodiversity Conference 2016 (Cancún)

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21st Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and 10th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions

Past event

2018 UN Biodiversity Conference

Past event

1st Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Past event

23rd Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 23) and 11th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (WG8J 11)

Past event

2nd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Past event

Convention on Biological Diversity: Special Virtual Sessions

Past event

2nd Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD ExCOP 2)

Past event

Informal Session for the 24th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24)

Past event

Informal Session for the 3rd Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3)

Past event

24th Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24)

Past event

3rd Meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3)

Past event

3rd Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Past event

UN Biodiversity Conference Part I

Past event

Geneva Biodiversity Conference

Past event

4th Meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

Past event

3rd Meeting of the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies

Past event

United Nations Biodiversity Conference - OEWG 5/CBD COP 15/CP-MOP 10/NP-MOP 4

Past event

25th Meeting of the CBD Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 25) and Resumed Second Part of the 15th Meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties

Past event

12th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions and 1st Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources

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