COP17 on Biodiversity: OSS Leverages Its Expertise to Accelerate the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Yerevan, Armenia, 19–30 October 2026 – The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) is participating in the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), a major international gathering dedicated to accelerating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Through its participation in the high-level segment and the organization of an official side event, the OSS reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and providing practical support to African countries in fulfilling their environmental commitments.

A Key Regional Player in Scientific and Technical Cooperation

As the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Technical and Scientific Cooperation Centre (TSCC), the OSS plays a strategic role in bridging international commitments and their implementation at the national level.

Building on its expertise and strong regional presence, the Observatory continues to support African countries by strengthening institutional capacities, mobilizing scientific expertise, developing information systems and leveraging geospatial data to inform decision-making.

This approach, grounded in knowledge-sharing and South-South cooperation, helps strengthen national ownership of the Global Biodiversity Framework’s objectives and position TSCCs as key drivers of practical solutions tailored to countries’ specific circumstances.

From Policy Dialogue to Action: The Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols at the Heart of Priorities

The OSS’s participation in the COP17 high-level segment reflects its commitment to promoting more ambitious scientific and technical cooperation capable of addressing countries’ needs in terms of financing, governance and the implementation of international commitments.

This commitment will also be highlighted during the official side event organized by the OSS jointly with the Humboldt Institute on 28 October 2026, under the theme “From Reporting to Action: How Technical and Scientific Cooperation Accelerates ABS and Biosafety Implementation under the KM-GBF.”

The event will particularly highlight the contribution of two key instruments to the implementation of the Convention: the Nagoya Protocol, which promotes access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization, and the Cartagena Protocol, which seeks to ensure an adequate level of protection in the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology.

Through this event, the OSS and its partners will emphasize the crucial role of TSCCs in supporting countries, particularly in translating reporting obligations into concrete action, strengthening national frameworks and building technical and institutional capacities.

Strengthening Synergies Among the Three Rio Conventions

Beyond biodiversity-specific challenges, the OSS advocates an integrated approach to environmental issues, based on complementarity among the three Rio Conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Drawing on its cross-cutting expertise in climate change, biodiversity and sustainable land management, the Observatory works to strengthen synergies among these three international frameworks, particularly through ecosystem restoration, data-sharing, the harmonization of monitoring tools and the development of nature-based solutions.

COP17 therefore represents a strategic opportunity for the OSS to consolidate its position as a scientific and technical partner to African countries, showcase the achievements of its regional cooperation and promote more coherent, integrated and results-oriented environmental action for the benefit of people and ecosystems.