YEREVAN, October 23, 2026: A new report by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) warns that global biodiversity targets for 2030 remain out of reach without a rapid acceleration of implementation efforts.
Titled State of Biodiversity Action: The Global Report on Collective Progress in the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the report was launched by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on October 15, ahead of the Leaders’ Summit on Biodiversity.
The assessment finds that around 90% of countries have established national biodiversity targets, but fewer than half of the assessed targets are on track for achievement by 2030.
Adopted in December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) sets 23 targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, supported by four long-term goals for 2050.
The report identifies persistent gaps in implementation, biodiversity financing, policy coordination and monitoring. Although domestic and international public finance and technical cooperation have improved, progress in mobilising private investment and removing subsidies harmful to nature remains limited.
It also calls for stronger integration of biodiversity into economic planning, infrastructure development, agriculture, trade and fiscal policy, alongside greater participation by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and young people.
“This report shows that we are making progress, but we must do much more, especially as accelerating climate change impacts place growing pressure on nature,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Programme.
CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker urged countries to use the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference to strengthen cooperation and close implementation gaps.
The report’s findings provide a critical reference for the first global review of collective progress under the GBF at CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, highlighting the need for stronger political commitment, adequate financing and accelerated action to meet the 2030 goals.
