Nations agree on new steps at UN biodiversity summit in Armenia

Nearly 200 nations reached agreements on Friday at the COP17 UN biodiversity summit in Armenia to get nature protection goals back on track. Delegates approved crucial texts in overtime after two weeks of tough talks in Yerevan that ended early Saturday. The summit aimed to revive a 2030 target to halt nature destruction after global efforts fell short.

Reactions And Disputes

French Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut called the outcome disappointing and not enough to handle the crisis facing the natural world. Negotiators also faced bitter fights over science, with Swiss negotiator Gabriela Blatter warning that countries should not challenge scientific evidence for political reasons. Another major dispute focused on finding new money for conservation while public budgets face strain from conflicts and energy issues.

Financial Hurdles

Countries debated how to handle subsidies that harm nature, such as those for fossil fuels and intensive fishing. The European Union pushed for emerging economies like China to help fund conservation efforts. Meanwhile, the Cali Fund remains empty after essential decisions were delayed for two years.

Context

Ecuador will host the next UN biodiversity talks in 2028 after winning a secret vote against Panama. Biodiversity summits bring countries together to set global rules and targets for protecting wildlife, plants, and natural habitats from human destruction.