Established in 1992, the CBD is a landmark international treaty aimed at conserving biodiversity, promoting the sustainable use of its components, and ensuring equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources. With virtually universal participation from 196 parties, the CBD supports global efforts to tackle biodiversity loss through scientific assessment, technology transfer, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. 

From 20–24 October, representatives from all 196 CBD parties convened to review progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted in Montreal in 2022 to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Key discussions explored the intersections of biodiversity and climate change, the fight against invasive alien species, links between biodiversity and human health, and challenges facing agriculture and forestry. 

“SBSTTA must provide evidence-based guidance to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems,” said CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker. 

A central focus was Biodiversity and Agriculture, specifically the implementation of the 2020–2030 Plan of Action for the International Initiative on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity. Updates from 35 Parties, complemented by reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), highlighted progress in protecting and monitoring soil biodiversity. 

FAO’s Global Soil Partnership (GSP) has developed advanced tools to assess soil biodiversity at both local and national levels, notably through the Global Soil Biodiversity Observatory (GLOSOB). These achievements were highlighted during the side event “Closing the Gap – Soil Biodiversity in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” attended by around 60 participants both on-site and online. The event explored synergies with other initiatives, policy integration, and soil biodiversity’s role in addressing environmental pollution.  “Soil biodiversity is fundamental to the health of terrestrial ecosystems, human wellbeing and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. It also holds immense, yet largely untapped potential to transform agri-food systems,” mentioned Mr Lifeng Li, Director of the FAO Land and Water Division in his opening remarks. 

Six experts in soil science, ecology, agriculture, and policy shared insights, identified challenges, and discussed opportunities for integrating soil biodiversity into the KMGBF. Participants emphasized the need for globally relevant indicators, comprehensive monitoring, and policies to prevent soil degradation, pollution, and unsustainable land use, fostering collaboration to strengthen ecosystem resilience and advance global biodiversity targets. 

“I think the message that the side event is clearly sending, and that we have to continue sending to everybody, is that healthy and biodiverse soils are really the foundation, the Earth infrastructure” Ms Schomaker said at the closing of the event. 

SBSTTA-27 commended the progress made, recommending continued implementation of the Plan of Action and stronger coordination across the UN system to combat pollution and protect both belowground and aboveground biodiversity. Parties stressed the urgency of accelerating efforts to create synergies and integrated actions. 

The outcomes and recommendations from SBSTTA-27 will feed directly into upcoming COP negotiations, guiding decisions that shape global biodiversity conservation.