Introduction

Through decision 16/13 on mainstreaming biodiversity within and across sectors, the Conference of the Parties has requested the Secretariat to organize a series of webinars to facilitate the exchange of lessons learned on mainstreaming biodiversity across key sectors. Responding to this mandate, the Secretariat is launching a webinar series that will bring together partners, experts, practitioners, and representatives of relevant communities of practice and existing networks to explore practical approaches to integrating biodiversity considerations into sectoral policies, practices and decision-making processes.

By convening stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and strengthening connections, the webinar series aims to facilitate dialogue, share experiences, and highlight practical tools, solutions and innovative approaches that can support the effective implementation of biodiversity mainstreaming within and across sectors.

The sectors explored through these webinars will focus in particular on those already covered in previous decisions of the Conference of the Parties.

These include:

• Mining
• Finance
• Fisheries and Aquaculture
• Circular Economy
• Forestry
• Trade
• Tourism
• Agriculture
• Subnational Governments and Local Authorities
• Infrastructure

Future webinars will be announced here and through the CBD Meetings page , and will be held online via Microsoft Teams. Once completed, webinars will also be posted in the CBD Youtube page.

Future Webinars

The next webinars will be held on the following dates:

• September 29, 2026: Advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through sustainable aquaculture practices
• October 1, 2026: An introduction to nature finance: private sector finance instruments

Please note that additional webinars will be announced here as their dates become available

Past Webinars

The first webinar of the Communities of Practice Webinar Series was held on 4 December 2025. It was jointly hosted by the Secretariat, the Nature Conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund. The recording can be found here.

Held on 6 May 2026, this was the first of three webinars convened by ICLEI, in collaboration with the Secretariat, on the important role local and subnational governments play in CBD processes. More information on the joint ICLEI-CBD webinars, as well as the recording for the first session, can be found here .

This webinar marked the official launch of the Communities of Practice Webinar Series, and was held on 14 May 2026. It was co-organized by the Secretariat and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here.

Held on 26 May 2026, This webinar addressed how different actors contribute to creating enabling conditions for the responsible management of biodiversity in the mining sector. It was co-organized by the Secretariat, UNEP-WCMC, and ICMM. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here.

With a focus on finance, this session highlighted the outcomes and lessons from COP16 in Cali, Colombia, and translated them into concrete priorities for COP17. It also served as an early engagement platform, laying the groundwork for coordinated action in the lead-up to Yerevan. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here.

Co-organized by the CBD Secretariat, the FAO, and the Fisheries Expert Group of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (IUCN/CEM/FEG), this webinar explored how fisheries actors, and in particular the private sector, can better align with and actively contribute to the effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here. This session was held on June 9 2026.

Held on 16 June 2026, this session focused on the critical role of the forestry sector in advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It was co-organized by the Secretariat, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here.

Held on 8 July 2026, this was the second of three webinars convened by ICLEI in collaboration with the Secretariat. This session explored how the Convention on Biological Diversity translates global ambition into implementation through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). More information on the joint ICLEI-CBD webinars, as well as the recording for the second session, can be found here .

Held on 8 September 2026, this webinar focused on agriculture and the opportunities associated with promoting more sustainable practices across the sector. Specifically, this session highlighted how agriculture supports the implementation of Targets 4 (halt species extinction), 7 (reduce pollution), 10 (enhance biodiversity in agriculture) and 18 (reduce harmful incentives) of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here.

Co-organized by the CBD Secretariat and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), this session focused on trade, highlighting the role of international trade and the opportunities associated with promoting more sustainable practices across the sector. Particular attention was given to trade-related tools and policies that promote biodiversity-friendly trade, facilitate knowledge exchange and support countries and companies in their sustainable actions. More information on the speakers and content of this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here. This session was held on September 15 2026.

Co-led by ICLEI and Regions4, alongside the Secretariat, this session focused on the important role played by cities and regions in the global biodiversity agenda. The session also provided practical information regarding the 9th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, offering participants a roadmap for participation. More information on this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here. This webinar was held on 16 September 2026.

This special session of the webinar series aimed to deepen the dialogue on biodiversity mainstreaming by examining the findings of the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment and exploring how its scientific evidence can inform and strengthen the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It also served as an opportunity to discuss the complementary findings emerging from the Global Review of collective progress in the implementation of the KMGBF. More information on this webinar, as well as its recording, can be found here. This webinar was held on 22 September 2026.