The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), established at the 1992 Rio Summit, is a global framework addressing biodiversity loss. It includes 196 Party member states as well as numerous non-member states, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples organizations worldwide. The Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), among other Indigenous groups, has been involved in the CBD process since its inception. Despite three decades of efforts, biodiversity loss continues to accelerate, driven by climate change, pollution, and industrial impacts. In response, a new framework—the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)—was finalized in 2022 to strengthen efforts to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and to foster global restoration by 2050.

As of the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) in Colombia in 2024, only 33 out of 196 Parties have completed their National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plans (NBSAPs), with many countries requesting additional time to finalize these plans through 2025. Additionally, some Indigenous organizations, particularly from developing regions, have expressed concerns over inadequate engagement from their governments, contrary to KMGBF commitments. The KMGBF emphasizes the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women, and youth in achieving biodiversity goals, underlining their importance in restoring planetary health.

See our most recent press release on CBD here.