YEREVAN, November 1, 2026 — Governments attending the United Nations biodiversity conference COP17 have agreed a new roadmap, known as the Yerevan Pathway, aimed at accelerating action to protect nature through 2030.

The agreement followed the first global review of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The review found that the world remains off track on almost all major targets for halting and reversing biodiversity loss.

The framework includes commitments to conserve 30% of the world’s land and waters, restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and reform subsidies that encourage environmental damage. It also calls for significantly greater financial support for conservation and restoration.

Delegates agreed to focus on reducing harmful incentives, aligning national budgets with biodiversity objectives and increasing finance for developing countries. They also discussed criteria for a permanent financing mechanism and ways to broaden the contributor base.

Nearly 90% of parties to the convention had established national targets, but fewer than half of the plans assessed were considered on track. The gap between national commitments and implementation remains a major obstacle to achieving the global goals.

More than $1.8 billion in conference-related finance was announced, but conservation groups and delegates warned that funding remains inadequate. They stressed that implementation, monitoring and predictable long-term resources will determine whether the new pathway delivers results.

Source: Reuters, October 31, 2026. Featured image is an illustrative forest photograph, not a photograph of the COP17 venue.