Highlights and images for 21 October 2025

Biodiversity loss, climate change, desertification, and land and ocean degradation are interdependent and inseparable crises, requiring coordinated and integrated solutions. Delegates at the 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 27) devoted the morning session to biodiversity and climate change, underscoring the need for a holistic approach to global environmental problems.

Want to dig deeper into today's talks? Read the full Earth Negotiations Bulletin daily report.

In their deliberations, delegates:

• supported strengthening policy coherence and synergies across the Rio Conventions, offering relevant suggestions;
• highlighted work under the Joint Liaison Group of the Rio Conventions and made proposals on further activities;
• discussed the relevance to SBSTTA’s work of the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on obligations of states in respect to climate change and the advisory opinion of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the climate emergency and human rights; and
• exchanged opinions on the development of the supplement to the Voluntary Guidelines for the Design and Effective Implementation of Ecosystem-based Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction.

In the afternoon, discussions focused on scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Delegates addressed: the strategic review and analysis of the programmes of work under the Convention in the context of the GBF; the strategic review of, and updates to, the expanded programme of work on forest biodiversity; and areas of potential further work.

Following repeated appeals from SBSTTA Chair Mikissa to pick up the pace, delegates swiftly addressed:

• risk assessment and risk management of living modified organisms;
• a progress report on intersessional activities on invasive alien species; and
• biodiversity and agriculture.

Negotiations continued into the evening with two contact groups working on the global review of collective progress in implementation of the GBF, and biodiversity and climate change, respectively.