Highlights and images for 9 August 2026

As the world marks the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, the seventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 7) reflected on the longstanding recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as stewards of biodiversity and holders of invaluable Indigenous and local knowledge. 

In the context of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this recognition is rooted in years of constructive engagement under Article 8(j) on the rights and roles of IPLCs and the newest permanent subsidiary body to ensure their full and effective participation.

At the start of the meeting, IPLC representatives took the floor in Plenary highlighting these advancements. They requested Parties to reverse the growing trend of referring to IPLCs, women, and youth as “actors other than national governments,” as it rolls back on the decades of progress, and obscures their distinct rights and roles. 

SBI 7 delegates thereafter addressed conference room papers on issues where convergence on draft decisions has been reached. In the afternoon and evening in contact groups they resumed discussions on outstanding issues.

Cartagena Protocol assessment and review  

Delegates discussed draft recommendations relating to the fifth assessment and review of the effectiveness of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the midterm evaluation of its implementation plan and capacity-building action plan. They agreed on language on capturing qualitative information from national reports among others. 

They also strengthened provisions on scientific and technical capacity, while noting that issues related to horizon scanning would require further discussion at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17). Discussions on resource mobilization remained unresolved, with delegates continuing to debate how to reflect support through the ninth replenishment of the Global Environment Facility and the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund.

Synthetic biology 

Delegates also largely agreed to the draft recommendations on the synthetic biology thematic action plan to support capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology, and knowledge sharing. Discussions focused mainly on matters related to means of implementation, with delegations debating the obligation of developed countries for providing financial resources while also considering how best to reflect the importance of broadening the donor base.

Nagoya Protocol 

Delegates began deliberations on the second assessment and review of the effectiveness of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, but did not complete their consideration of the draft recommendations.

Contact groups convened in parallel through the afternoon and late into the night to advance work on: 

• Capacity-building; 
• Financial Mechanism; 
• Resource Mobilisation; and 
• Global Review of Collective Progress. 

A Friends of the Co-Chairs Group on Digital Sequence Information also convened in the evening.