Highlights and images for 27 July 2026

Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) gathered in Nairobi for the twenty-eighth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 28) at the midpoint between the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022 and its 2030 target date.

This review, which contributes to the Global Review Process, also adopted at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, provided Parties with the first opportunity to take stock of collective progress towards achieving the Framework’s goals and targets, identify gaps, and chart a path to accelerate progress over the remaining five years. Delegates also deliberated on issues on marine and coastal biodiversity, and synthetic biology. 

Opening 

In his opening statement, SBSTTA 28 Chair Jean Bruno Mikissa (Gabon) underlined the role of SBSTTA in supporting the implementation of the GBF, noting the importance of scientific and technical sound recommendations on the review and other items on the meeting’s agenda including synthetic biology, sustainable wildlife management, protected areas, and marine and coastal biodiversity. 

Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystems Division, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), underlined that biodiversity underpins sustainable development, creating a better future for people. She stressed that science has always been at the heart of biodiversity-related decision making, sharing examples of species’ recoveries in Central Africa, Brazil, and Uzbekistan that were driven by knowledge shared at SBSTTA.

Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, CBD, underscored that the global review is not just a process of ticking boxes but is a critical mechanism to track and monitor implementation progress. She underlined that the breadth and scale of SBSTTA 28 agenda reflects the complexity of the issues, and encouraged constructive, pragmatic, and collaborative work towards GBF implementation.

Global review of collective progress in the implementation of the GBF, and the GBF Monitoring Framework 

Discussing the role played by the Ad Hoc Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (AHSTAG) in the preparation of the Global Report on Collective Progress in the Implementation of the GBF, AHSTAG Co-Chair Hesiquio Benítez Díaz (Mexico), highlighted a strong methodological and party-led process noting extensive consultations including 10 meetings of the group. He thanked the Group’s Co-Chair, Emily Nicholson (Australia).

Discussions on this issue followed the procedure for early submission of documents, which was first applied in SBSTTA 27 on a trial basis. Chair Mikassa reported submission of 175 written statements from Parties and 63 written statements from observers for SBSTTA 28. 

Delegates provided initial comments on the global report on collective progress in the implementation of the Framework, and on the GBF monitoring framework.

Several delegates emphasized the need to distinguish clearly between implementation gaps, reporting limitations, and data availability constraints, cautioning that conclusions from the review should take into account national circumstances, capacities, and differing levels of implementation. 

Many interventions on the monitoring framework stressed the need to avoid introducing additional indicators, citing concerns over increased reporting burdens, particularly for developing countries.

Developing countries highlighted persistent challenges related to data access, monitoring capacity, and insufficient support, noting that these limitations can affect the accuracy and representativeness of global assessments, particularly for small island developing states.  

In the evening, delegates met for the first meeting of the contact group on the Global Review of collective progress in the implementation of the GBF, and the GBF Monitoring Framework.

Marine and coastal biodiversity 

Delegates addressed two main issues: the description of new, and/or modified descriptions of existing ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs); and ongoing work on the conservation of marine and coastal biodiversity.  

Delegations shared views on the establishment and terms of reference of the Informal Advisory Group on EBSAs. They also discussed the EBSA process in relation to the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement). 

Synthetic biology

Delegates opened discussions on the draft thematic Action Plan to Support Capacity-Building and Development, Access to and Transfer of Technology, and Knowledge-Sharing in the Context of Synthetic Biology for the implementation of the CBD and the GBF. This draft was prepared by the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology during the intersessional period. Many noted that the draft was a good basis for further discussion. They highlighted the initial illustrative benefits and negative impacts of synthetic biology outlined by the Expert Group, with several calling for adequate and predictable financial resources to implement the Action Plan.