€1.8 billion in new funding commitments for biodiversity were announced at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia, where Monaco joined international efforts to accelerate action against the loss of nature.
The two-week summit brought together countries to assess progress towards the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, and agree on measures to deliver its 23 targets by 2030. Among its most significant ambitions is the protection of at least 30% of the world’s land and marine areas.
Negotiations focused heavily on how governments can turn existing commitments into practical action, with long-term financing and stronger international cooperation emerging as central priorities.
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Delegates adopted the Yerevan Pathway, a roadmap intended to speed up implementation of the global framework. It calls on countries to reform subsidies harmful to nature, give biodiversity greater consideration in public spending and increase financial, scientific and technical assistance to developing nations.
The conference also produced almost 50 decisions addressing a range of environmental challenges, including the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems, the management of protected areas and the threat posed by invasive alien species.
Another outcome was the adoption of the Sevan Guidelines, which establish how a new permanent body will strengthen the participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities in the Convention’s work.
Monaco was actively involved in the discussions through a delegation comprising Céline Impagliazzo from the Department of External Relations and Cooperation, and Raphaël Simonet and Ludovic Aquilina from the Department of the Environment.
Its representatives concentrated on negotiations concerning marine and coastal biodiversity, protected areas and the links between biodiversity and climate change. They also took part in discussions about mobilising public and private finance for countries particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures, including small island developing states.
The Principality’s position was further represented by Government Minister Céline Caron-Dagioni, who attended the high-level segment on October 27 and 28. She reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to the international biodiversity framework, pointing to work on updating the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and protecting both terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
During the summit, Caron-Dagioni also held talks with Dr Gretel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which has a longstanding partnership with Monaco on species and habitat protection.
She additionally met Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment at the Council of Europe, for discussions on the relationship between environmental protection and human rights. The meeting took place in the context of Monaco’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
The Principality now intends to carry its commitments forward beyond the international conference. At home, this will include continuing to update its biodiversity strategy, developing urban renaturation initiatives and restoring natural habitats.
Monaco says it will maintain its involvement in international cooperation as countries work towards the 2030 targets, with the wider objective of halting biodiversity loss and reversing damage to natural environments.
