Targets Discussed at UN Biodiversity Conference in Armenia

World leaders, diplomats, and nature experts have met in Armenia's capital, Yerevan, for the 17th UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) to evaluate delayed efforts to halt biodiversity loss. The summit marks the first major review of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to increase land and marine protected areas to 30 percent by 2030.

According to a draft UN report, countries worldwide are lagging behind in meeting 22 of the 23 targets set under the Kunming-Montreal framework. Scientists note that terrestrial protection is likely to reach an estimated 27.5 percent by 2030, but broader goals required to halt biodiversity loss are falling short of the target.

According to UN data, 144 countries, including Brazil and China, have established action plans so far. However, it remains unclear who will pay what for the $30 billion public financing target, and this issue is at the center of the two-week talks in Yerevan. The broader goal is to mobilize at least $200 billion annually by 2030.

Another key focus of the talks is the reform of $500 billion in annual subsidies for activities that harm nature. Governments are being called upon to set a two-year timeline to identify and redirect the most harmful subsidies.