17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17)

COP 17 takes place October 19-30, 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. The conference will be held concurrently with the 12th meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP 12) and the 6th meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (COP-MOP 6).

What COP 17 Represents

COP 17 will mark the first global review of collective progress toward implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The meeting serves as a critical moment for the international community to assess biodiversity conservation efforts and set direction for continued work.

Government Participation

Governments must nominate representatives by September 15, 2026. Nominations should be submitted via official letter to secretariat@cbd.int with delegation names and contact details.

Funding support is available for eligible country Parties through the Special Voluntary Trust Fund. Developing countries, least developed countries, small island developing states, and economies in transition can request support for up to three representatives per country. Funding requests must be submitted by July 15, 2026.

Credentials must be submitted within 24 hours after the meetings open (by October 20, 2026) and must be signed by the Head of State or Government, Minister of Foreign Affairs, or equivalent authority.

Organization and Observer Participation

Organizations already accredited as observers must submit registration letters by September 15, 2026.

New organizations seeking observer status must submit complete applications by August 31, 2026, including an expression of interest, organizational statutes or terms of reference, and proof of registration or incorporation.

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities can request financial assistance from the Voluntary Funding Mechanism. Requests must be submitted by July 1, 2026. Only applications from organizations already accredited to CBD will be considered. New organizations representing indigenous peoples and local communities must complete accreditation by June 26, 2026.

Registration

Online registration opens May 15, 2026. Early registration is encouraged.

High-Level Segment

Armenia will convene a high-level segment October 27-28, 2026 to galvanize political momentum for implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Event Details

• Event: 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 17)

• Concurrent Meetings: COP-MOP 12 (Cartagena Protocol), COP-MOP 6 (Nagoya Protocol)

• Dates: October 19-30, 2026

• Location: Yerevan, Armenia

• Focus: Biodiversity conservation, global framework implementation, access and benefit-sharing

• High-Level Segment: October 27-28, 2026

Key deadlines: July 1 (Indigenous funding requests), July 15 (Government funding requests), August 31 (New observer applications), September 15 (Government nominations and accredited observer registration), October 20 (Credentials submission).

Visit the CBD website at cbd.int for the provisional agendas, information notes for participants, and additional documentation.