Facilitating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and monitoring its progress has become the primary focus of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), three years after the GBF’s historic adoption at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15). The framework’s 23 targets for 2030 and four strategic goals for 2050 offer a viable path toward the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature.

The Convention’s Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBTTA) held its 27th session, addressing scientific, technical, and technological aspects of biodiversity conservation. In a historic first session, the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions (SB8j), established at COP 16 in October 2024, focused on matters of relevance to Indigenous Peoples and local communities that are within the scope of the Convention and its Protocols.

SBSTTA 27 provided advice on scientific inputs to the global report on collective progress in the implementation of the GBF, including on a draft annotated outline for the report. This report is part of the global review of collective progress on GBF implementation to be conducted at COP 17 and COP 19, which will be held in October 2026 and 2028, respectively.

The subsidiary body tackled scientific and technical needs to support GBF implementation through the strategic review and analysis of the programmes of work under the Convention, including on forest biodiversity, and areas of potential further work.

SBSTTA 27 further focused on:

• matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES);
• biodiversity and climate change, including options for enhancing policy coherence and cooperation across the Rio Conventions and a supplement to the Voluntary Guidelines for the Design and Effective Implementation of Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction;
• risk assessment and risk management;
• invasive alien species;
• biodiversity and agriculture, focusing on activities and results from the implementation of the Plan of Action (2020–2030) for the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity; and
• biodiversity and health, addressing the development of integrated science-based indicators, metrics, and progress measurement tools on biodiversity and health as well as relevant capacity building and international cooperation.

SB8j 1 elaborated and finalized its modus operandi and will provide advice on traditional knowledge for the global report on collective progress in GBF’s implementation.

It focused on the implementation of the programme of work on Article 8(j), addressing:

• guidelines to strengthen the legal and policy framework for the implementation of GBF Targets 2 (restore 30% of all degraded ecosystems) and 3 (conserve 30% of land, waters, and seas), including on Indigenous and traditional territories, to support the protection and restoration practices led by Indigenous Peoples and local communities;
• guidelines for the inclusion and consideration of traditional lands and of resource use in spatial planning processes and environmental impact assessments; and
• the process to review and update the Voluntary Glossary of Key Terms and Concepts Within the Context of Article 8(j) and Related Provisions.

SB8j 1 further addressed the recommendations of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and held a thematic dialogue on strategies for mobilizing resources for GBF implementation.

SBSTTA 27 and SB8j 1 took place in Panama City, Panama, from 20-24 and 27-30 October 2025, respectively.

The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) writers for this meeting were Asterios Tsioumanis, Ph.D.; Katarina Hovden; Rafaella Lobo, Ph.D.; and María Ovalle. The Digital Editor was Mike Muzurakis. The Editor was Pam Chasek, Ph.D.