Highlights and images for 16 February 2026

Enabling national action commensurate with the ambition of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is at the core of the agenda of the sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 6) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Throughout the meeting’s four days, participants are expected to address a series of items that are crucial for GBF implementation, from national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) to resource mobilization and scientific collaboration. 

Opening the meeting, SBI 6 Chair Clarissa Souza Della Nina, Brazil, urged delegates to “forge common ground for the common good” and to find “solutions, not brackets.” Jaime Andrés Gnecco Daza, Minister Plenipotentiary, Colombia, on behalf of the Presidency of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16), stressed the need for reliable capacity-building mechanisms based on trust and mutual learning, and called for enhancing synergies between the biodiversity and climate agendas.  

Drawing attention to the often-overlooked matter of gender responsiveness, CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker called on delegates to promote more gender-responsive actions in NBSAPs. She further encouraged potential donors to replenish the trust fund of the Convention, noting that it is a “marathon year” for the CBD.  

Participation-related issues took center stage in the morning session. Several delegates, including the Russian Federation, Egypt, and Fiji for the Pacific Small Island Developing States (P-SIDS), highlighted obstacles to fair decision-making and equitable participation. These related to challenges in acquiring visas on time and funding constraints, with impacts on delegation size and capacity, particularly relevant in meetings featuring parallel sessions. 

In an effort to increase efficiency and streamline deliberations, the meeting tested pilot modalities allowing for the early submission of statements on all substantive agenda items. These statements are available on the meeting’s webpage.  

On each agenda item, Chair Souza Della Nina asked delegates to formally enter on record their submitted statements. She also called for Party support for all statements submitted by observers after confirming they are present at the meeting. Delegates made oral statements if they had not made an early submission or to highlight the key elements of their submission, retaining the possibility to submit revised statements as necessary. 

Substantive deliberations throughout the day focused on: 

• resource mobilization; 
• the financial mechanism; 
• planning, monitoring, reporting, and review; 
• the Gender Plan of Action; and 
• capacity-building and development, and technical and scientific cooperation. 

On resource mobilization, delegates addressed the key findings of three studies on the relationship between debt sustainability and CBD implementation, implementation of the guidance on safeguards in biodiversity finance mechanisms, and the relationship between biodiversity and climate finance. Many stressed that debt-related instruments and innovative finance are not substitutes for predictable public finance and fair burden-sharing.  

Patrick Luna, Brazil, and Ines Verleye, Belgium, reported on a workshop on resource mobilization, held from 10-13 February 2026 in Rome. They drew attention to two tracks of work: further developing the criteria for the institutional structure to operate the financial mechanism; and identifying impediments to global biodiversity finance and recommending elements for enhancement.  

On the financial mechanism, delegates addressed the funding needs assessment for the ninth replenishment period of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Trust Fund and related matters. They highlighted the need for adequate funding that is adaptable to diverse contexts and fit for purpose, while avoiding heavy administrative processes and slow disbursement. 

The session heard an update on NBSAPs, national targets, and national reporting, highlighting the importance of such data for the global review of collective progress in GBF implementation at COP 17. Delegates further addressed the midterm review of the Gender Plan of Action, and initiated deliberations on capacity-building and development, and technical and scientific cooperation. 

A GEF information session on nature finance for GBF Target 19 (mobilize USD 200 billion per year for biodiversity from all sources, including USD 30 billion through international finance) took place during lunchtime. In the evening, the government of Armenia hosted a briefing on COP 17, to be held in Yerevan in October 2026.