Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Calls for Calls for Equitable Finance and Stronger Implementation Ahead of United Nations (UN) Biodiversity COP17

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South Africa has called for adequate, predictable and accessible financing, stronger capacity-building and equitable international cooperation to accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

The call followed the conclusion of the seventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-7), held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 4 to 12 August 2026. The meeting was a key final preparatory milestone ahead of the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference, which will take place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026.

SBI-7 reviewed collective progress towards the 23 targets of the KMGBF and developed recommendations for consideration by the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) and the meetings of the Parties to the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols.

South Africa participated actively in the negotiations, including through interventions on behalf of the African Group and the Group of Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries. The country emphasised that global ambition must be matched by the financial resources, technology transfer and institutional capacity required by developing countries to implement their commitments.

On resource mobilisation, South Africa expressed concern that international biodiversity finance remains below the level required to achieve Target 19(a) of the KMGBF, which calls for biodiversity-related international financial flows to developing countries of at least USD 20 billion annually by 2025 and USD 30 billion annually by 2030. South Africa maintained that the international biodiversity finance architecture must provide predictable, adequate and accessible support.

South Africa also supported continued oversight of the Cali Fund by the Conference of the Parties. The country stressed that contribution thresholds should not weaken the multilateral mechanism for sharing benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. Non-monetary benefits should include access to technology, know-how, scientific cooperation and research results.

During discussions on the global review of KMGBF implementation, South Africa cautioned against creating new obligations or increasing reporting burdens. The country maintained that findings should be interpreted in accordance with national circumstances, capacities and development priorities.

South Africa further advocated for biodiversity to be integrated into the policies and practices of sectors such as mining, agriculture, fisheries and tourism, linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable development, economic transformation and poverty reduction. Parties were also urged to support cities and other local authorities in developing local biodiversity strategies and action plans, while addressing barriers that prevent local institutions from accessing finance.

On communication, education and public awareness, South Africa, on behalf of the African Group, welcomed the draft global plan of action for education on biodiversity. At South Africa’s proposal, the draft recommendation acknowledges the country’s hosting of the 2026 global celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity under the theme, “Acting Locally for Global Impact.” South Africa also called for stronger alignment between the global plan and national biodiversity strategies and action plans, supported by adequate financial and technical resources.

The country supported the proposed thematic action plan on synthetic biology, while underscoring the need for dedicated and timely financing for capacity-building, technology transfer and knowledge-sharing. South Africa also advanced proposals to strengthen implementation and assessment of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols, including the operationalisation of access and benefit-sharing checkpoints, improved communication and regional cooperation.

South Africa further highlighted the technical and scientific support centre hosted by the South African National Biodiversity Institute and called for its full operationalisation as part of broader efforts to strengthen capacity-building and scientific cooperation.

While SBI-7 adopted several recommendations for consideration at COP17, significant differences remain, particularly on international finance and the operation of the multilateral mechanism on digital sequence information. South Africa will continue engaging constructively towards outcomes in Yerevan that translate global biodiversity commitments into equitable, adequately resourced and measurable implementation.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of South African Government.