Image Photo by IISD/ENB - Mike Muzurakis

COP 17: Blue and Green Zone

WED // 12.8.2026

The 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference, including the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17), is rapidly approaching and understanding how the conference is organized can help participants and observers follow discussions, decisions and action towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Similar to other “COPs” of the sister Rio Conventions, the UNCCD’s desertification COP and UNFCCC’s climate COP, the CBD's UN Biodiversity Conference brings together a diverse range of actors through two complementary spaces: the Blue Zone and the Green Zone. 

In Biodiversity COP 17’s Blue Zone and Green Zone, Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, experts, business leaders, youth and the broader civil society will gather to advance global biodiversity action and implementation. While each zone serves a distinct purpose, both contribute to the overall success of the conference by creating opportunities for negotiation, collaboration, learning and public engagement.

Understanding the role of each zone can help participants and followers make the most of the COP 17 Armenia experience.

The Blue Zone: Where official Negotiations Take Place

The Blue Zone is the official conference space restricted to accredited participants. It is where Parties to the Convention and Protocols gather to discuss and negotiate decisions that will shape global biodiversity action, including the first global review of implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The Blue Zone hosts official plenary discussions, formal meetings, contact groups, and official side events. 

Within the Blue Zone, Parties, observers and partners engage in formal discussions that help guide implementation of the Convention and the KMGBF at the global level. It is also a space where delegates exchange experiences, share progress, and explore solutions to common biodiversity challenges, helping to strengthen international cooperation and ambition.

High-profile and Major Blue Zone Events include: 

If you would like to keep up with the Blue Zone activities, check out UN WebTV for daily coverage.

The Green Zone: Where Biodiversity Comes to Life

While the Blue Zone focuses on formal decision-making, the host country Armenia's Green Zone is expected to build awareness, strengthen partnerships, and mobilise action. Open to all, the Green Zone is designed to encourage broader participation and engagement, providing a space where visitors can explore biodiversity initiatives, attend events, share knowledge and connect with others working to support the goals of the Convention and its Protocols. 

The Green Zone offers opportunities to showcase biodiversity initiatives, highlight innovative solutions, and connect communities, organisations and stakeholders with the goals and implementation of the KMGBF. Through exhibitions, discussions, and cultural activities, it helps demonstrate how biodiversity action is being delivered on the ground and how different sectors of society can contribute to achieving shared global goals. 

Two Zones, One Shared Objective

While the Blue Zone focuses on formal decision-making, the Green Zone helps build awareness, strengthen partnerships, and mobilise action. Together, they create a bridge between international negotiations and implementation in practice, helping ensure that decisions are informed by knowledge, experience, and collaboration from across society. 

Together, these spaces embody the whole-of-society approach that underpins implementation of the KMGBF. Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, business, academia, civil society and other stakeholders all have a role to play in achieving the goals of the Convention and its Protocols. 

The Blue Zone and Green Zone serve different functions, but both contribute to the success of the 2026 UN Biodiversity Conference. One is where decisions are negotiated. The other is where knowledge is shared, partnerships are built, and engagement is fostered. Together, they help transform global commitments into meaningful action for biodiversity. 

Regardless of whether you’re following COP 17 online or in person, you can share and tell us how you are taking #BiodiversityAction for #COP17Armenia. Use these hashtags and follow us on any one of our social media accounts available on our website.