Highlights and images for 12 August 2026

The Cali Fund emerged as one of the most emotionally charged issues at the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 7), reflecting both the high expectations surrounding fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of Digital Sequence Information, and the shared responsibility to turn the Multilateral Mechanism into a workable reality.

During plenary, concerns about the procedures which operationalized the Multilateral Mechanism and its Cali Fund came to the fore, with many developing countries calling for an appropriate course of action to rectify a perceived lack of transparency. Before adopting the final recommendation, big and small groups huddled throughout the day to come to a workable compromise, with developed countries underlining the need for the SBI to send the right message to all donors to the Fund. 

As implementation ultimately depends on means and tangible financial resources, delegates will look to 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to consolidate the operationalization of the Cali Fund and facilitate the smooth functioning of the Multilateral Mechanism.

On other outstanding issues, SBI 7 celebrated the swift approval of final recommendations to COP 17 on: 

• Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review;  
• Financial Mechanism;
• Resource Mobilization; 
• Engagement with subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to enhance the implementation of the GBF; 
• Clearing-house mechanism and knowledge management; and 
• Capacity-building and development and technical and scientific cooperation. 

Several recommendations, nevertheless, remain heavily bracketed despite long hours spent over the course of the meeting in contact groups and friends of the chair groups. 

In closing remarks, Astrid Schomaker, CBD Executive Secretary lauded delegates for a very productive 10 days. Noting that a lot more determination, commitment and stamina would be required to reach the finish line in Yerevan, she called on delegates to “recharge their batteries” ahead of COP 17. 

Armenia, as incoming COP 17 President, said SBI 7 takes from Nairobi not just the outcomes but the gratifying momentum that will be essential towards a successful COP.

SBI 7 Chair Clarissa Souza Della Nina (Brazil) thanked delegates for their hard work, saying the shared commitment to implement the GBF is strong as ever. She called on delegates to arrive in Yerevan ready to finish what they started in Rome and in Nairobi during the intersessional period. Expressing sadness that she would not be joining delegates at COP 17, she gaveled the meeting to a close at 6:16 pm.