In October, global biodiversity governance will once again enter “COP time.” From October 19 to 30, 2026, the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) will be held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, alongside the twelfth meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP12) and the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (NP-MOP6).
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Item |
Details |
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Conference |
2026 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17 / CP-MOP12 / NP-MOP6) |
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Date |
October 19–30, 2026 |
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Venue |
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia |
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Blue Zone Venue |
Meridian Expo and Event Centre, 1 Voskerichneri Street, Yerevan 0015 |
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Green Zone Venue |
Karen Demirchyan Sports and Concert Complex, Tsitsernakaberdi zbosaygi 1, Yerevan 0028 |
COP17 will be held under the theme “Taking Action for Nature” and will undertake the first global collective progress review of the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (hereinafter the KMGBF). The world has reached the halfway point toward the 2030 targets: Where do we stand in fulfilling our commitments? In which areas has progress been made? Where are the gaps? And how can action be further accelerated in the next phase? These questions will run as a key thread through the Yerevan conference.
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Date |
Item |
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September 15 |
Deadline for nomination of COP17 delegates; Blue Zone media accreditation; application deadline for Green Zone cultural programs, sponsorship, etc. |
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October 1 |
Deadline for payment of conference catering reservations |
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October 1 |
Deadline for Green Zone media accreditation. |
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October 14 |
Collection of goods stored at the venue from 14:00. |
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October 14–30 |
Conference registration desks open and conference badges issued. |
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October 15–29 |
COP17 welcome desk at EVN Airport in operation. |
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October 16 |
COP17 Leaders’ Summit (by invitation; arranged through the host country’s diplomatic channels). |
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October 19–30 |
Official COP17 session; the Green Zone open concurrently. |
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October 17–20 |
Free shuttle from the airport to Republic Square; relevant credentials required to board. |
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October 27–28 |
COP17 High-Level Segment (by invitation). |
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October 30–November 1 |
Official return shuttle from the city center to the airport. |
Key Dates
COP17 Blue Zone (access restricted to registered participants)
COP17 Green Zone (open to the public)
From Kunming to Yerevan: Global Action Enters “Midterm Review”
From September 7 to 9, 2026, the “Kunming Dialogue,” focusing on the first global review of collective progress under the Kunming-Montreal Framework, was held in Kunming, Yunnan. Following the event, the Secretariat of the CBD reiterated that global biodiversity action has made progress, but the overall pace and scale of implementation remain insufficient, calling for further acceleration of action at COP17.
From the adoption of the KMGBF to the first global review of collective progress, China has been both an important participant in global biodiversity governance process and a major contributor to the practical implementation of the KMGBF. One month later, Yerevan will become a new milestone for reviewing action, sharing experience, and connecting cooperation.
COP17 China Pavilion: Bring China’s Actions and Solutions to the Global Biodiversity Governance Arena
Exterior key visual of the COP17 China Pavilion
To further implement Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Conservation and Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, put into practice the concept that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” fully showcase the achievements of Beautiful China and biodiversity conservation, tell China’s stories well, make China’s voice heard, and promote the building of a shared future for all life on Earth, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment(MEE) will build on the successful experience of hosting the China Pavilion during COP15 and COP16 and continue to host a series of China Pavilion events during COP17. The China Pavilion serves both as a window through which the international community can learn about China’s implementation record and biodiversity governance experience, and as an important platform for China to participate in and lead global biodiversity governance. Under the guidance of relevant departments and bureaus of the Ministry, our academy is responsible for the concrete preparation of the China Pavilion series of events. We have completed the venue application and design for the China Pavilion, coordination of expressions of interest from participating units and institutions, and preparation of the China Pavilion agenda and activity programme. All work is currently progressing in an orderly manner.
The China Pavilion is located in the outdoor Pavilion cluster in the Blue Zone,, with an area of approximately 225 square metres. Its activities will mainly include an opening ceremony, a closing ceremony, thematic days and local days, and will feature the China Biodiversity Conservation Achievements Exhibition. Through results displays, thematic events, local practices, multi-stakeholder dialogue and international exchange, it will showcase China’s practical progress in advancing biodiversity conservation and implementing the KMGBF.
Interior design of the COP17 “China Pavilion”
The two-week programme for the China Pavilion has now been largely confirmed, and the session schedule is being further refined. The final schedule will be released in due course. Overall, the activities will present China’s whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to promoting broad stakeholder participation in biodiversity governance from different perspectives, including local practices, science and technology and finance, corporate participation, multi-stakeholder collaborative action, and cross-sector communication.
Overall Schedule of the COP17 “China Pavilion”
The China Pavilion is not only an exhibition and exchange space, but also a window for in-depth dialogue and a platform for advancing cooperation among all parties:
• Progress — from conservation and restoration and the Beautiful China Initiative to local biodiversity action, placing practical results in the context of the global review;
• Synergy — discussing “how to truly translate goals into action” around issues such as science and technology, finance, business participation and multi-stakeholder cooperation;
• Local action — using ecological conservation practices in different regions as entry points to showcase regional differences, innovative pathways and grassroots experience in China’s biodiversity conservation;
• Connections — bringing together governments, research institutions, international organizations, businesses, social organizations and other stakeholders to form a cooperation-oriented exchange network at the China Pavilion.
Overall Design of the China Biodiversity Conservation Achievements Exhibition
Countdown to the China Pavilion
As the conference approaches, the focus of the work has shifted from preliminary programme design to activity delivery and on-site implementation.
At present, each thematic day and local day is further refining its agenda, domestic and international guests, speaking materials and exhibition content. The China Pavilion’s overall spatial design, exhibition content, audio-visual system, meeting area and support plans are also being advanced in parallel.
Closing Note
Biodiversity is essential to human well-being and is a critical foundation for human survival and development. COP conferences are never meetings that take place only at the negotiating table. Every national report, every local project, every cross-departmental collaboration, every investment in nature, and every participation by a social actor ultimately together form the answer to whether the global biodiversity goals can be achieved.
China has always been an important participant, contributor and leader in global biodiversity governance. From Kunming to Yerevan, from the adoption of the KMGBF to the first global collective progress review, China is writing its answer on harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
From Kunming to Yerevan, from goals to action, the China Pavilion stands ready.
See ,you in Yerevan in October.
