Agenda Items (Source Decisions) | Actions Expected by SBSTTA-27 | Intersessional Activities | Timeframe 2025 (Notification issued) | Types of Actions Expected/Taken by Parties and Observers |
I Nominations/ Registrations | II Submission of Information | III Submission of Peer-Review Comments |
Item 3.1 Global review of collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Decision 16/32) | SBSTTA to consider the second draft of the global report | Submission by Parties of their 7th National reports (Decision 15/6 and 16/1) Peer review of the global report (Annex IV) | Before or by February 2026 Q2-Q3 2026 | | X | X |
Item 3.2 Monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Decision 16/31) | SBSTTA to review updated metadata for headline indicators, as well as the list of component and complementary indicators in Decision 15/5 that have met the criteria for inclusion in the monitoring framework since the adoption of that decision, for use by Parties in their eighth national reports; | Inviting submissions on updates to the metadata, additional headline, component and complementary indicators, methodologies (in response to paragraphs) | Q2 2025 (Apr-May) NTF 2025-044 Completed. | | X | |
| SBSTTA to review the needs of Parties in the implementation of the monitoring framework and consider how to address any technical or capacity gaps; | Submission of the seventh national reports | February 2026 | | X | |
Convening of regional and sub-regional dialogues (these will address monitoring among other issues) | 2025-2026 NTF 2025-038 (Nominations) | X | | |
Item 4. Matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (Decision 16/11, Para. 2) | SBSTTA to review the findings from the business and biodiversity assessment (should be adopted at IPBES 12) and their implications for the work undertaken under the Convention | External review of the monitoring assessment First external review of the spatial planning assessment (draft chapters and summary for policymakers) Informing the outputs of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services through Information Workshop prior to SBSTTA 28 | Until January 7, 2026 TBC - Q2 2026 Q3 2026 | | | X X X |
Item 5. Synthetic biology (Decision 16/21, Para.7, Annex 3(a)) (Decision 16/21, Para.8, Annex 3(a)) (Decision 16/21, Para. 9(f), Annex 3(a)) (Decision 16/21, Para. 9(g), 10, Annex 3(g)) (Decision 16/21, Para.10) (Decision 16/21, Para.10) | No actions expected from SBSTTA; To be considered by AHTEG and used for the development of the thematic action plan | Inviting submissions of information on experiences, needs and priorities related to synthetic biology to support the preparation of the thematic action plan and also related to other processes and initiatives on capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology and knowledge-sharing related to synthetic biology | 9 May to 18 July 2025 NTF 2025-065, 2025-088 Completed. | | X | |
No actions expected from SBSTTA; To be considered by the AHTEG | Inviting submissions of information on priority areas related to synthetic biology, including the most recent technological developments, relevant to the three objectives of the Convention and the Framework, to inform the work of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology | 9 May to 18 July 2025 NTF 2025-065, 2025-088 Completed. | | X | |
No actions expected from SBSTTA; the Open-Ended Online Forum will be convened to support the work of the AHTEG | Nominations for the Open-ended Online Forum on Synthetic Biology | December 2025 to January 2026 | X | | |
| SBSTTA to consider the outcomes of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology | Nominations for the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology | 14 November to 19 December 2025 NTF 2025-143 | X | | |
SBSTTA to consider the thematic action plan (Note: SBI to review the implementation aspects of the thematic action plan) | Peer-review of the thematic action plan to support capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology and knowledge-sharing in the context of synthetic biology | December 2025 – January 2026 | | | X |
| SBSTTA to consider the outcomes of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology | Meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology | 19 to 22 May 2026 (in-person) | | | |
Item 6. Sustainable wildlife management (Decision 16/15) | SBSTTA to consider (i) compilation and synthesis of information on best practices; and (ii) draft global guidance on SWM | Compilation and synthesis of information on best practices: Inviting submission of information on best practices for sustainable wildlife management | Contributions submitted between 11 Feb 2025 and 15 April 2025 NTF 2025-15 Completed. | | X | |
| Inviting views and inputs on the draft synthesis | Q4 2025 – Q1 2026 | | | X |
| A steering committee (CPW, CITES and CMS) will participate in the drafting and revision of the guidance | (throughout the process) | | | |
Draft Global guidance on SWM: Inviting views and inputs on elements of global guidance | Q1 – Q2 2025 NTF 2025-014 Completed. | | X | |
Technical expert meeting for review of draft guidance (back-to-back with SBI-6) Challenge: Lack of funding can constrain the work for engaging technical support and organizing the meeting | Q1 2026 (Feb 2026) | X | | |
Inviting views and inputs on draft guidance | Q1 2026 (Mar to Apr 2026) | | | X |
Item 7 Scientific and technical needs to support the implementation of KMGBF : Strategic review of and updates to the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (Decisions 15/4 and 16/12) | SBSTTA to consider strategic review and analysis of the programme of work on protected areas, and any potential updates based on the analysis. | Inviting views on the strategic review and analysis of the programme of work | Q4 2025 (October to December 2025) | | X | |
Inviting views and inputs on the draft strategic review and analysis, including through peer-review, webinars, online forums, etc. | Q1-Q2 2026 (Feb to Apr 2026) | | | X |
Item 8. Marine and coastal biodiversity (Decision 16/16, Para.4 and 10) (Decision 16/17, Para.11) | SBSTTA to consider proposed descriptions of new EBSAs and/or modifications of existing EBSA descriptions | Inviting submissions of EBSA descriptions and modifications (Note: Submissions can be accepted at any time, but Secretariat will issue notification to announce our readiness to receive and to provide guidance document and announce webinar) | Notification issued on 17 Mar 2025 and webinar scheduled on 09 Apr 2025 NTF 2025-034 NTF 2025-041 Completed. | | X | |
| Inviting peer-review comments on submissions for EBSA descriptions and modifications | Ongoing | | | |
SBSTTA to consider guidelines | Request peer-review of draft voluntary guidelines on peer-review processes for the description of areas meeting the criteria for EBSAs and other relevant compatible and complementary scientific criteria | Q4 2025 | | | |
| No actions expected from SBSTTA | Expert workshop on opportunities for specific areas of scientific and technical work, including cross-sectoral areas of work, conducted under the Convention to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction | Q4 2025 Completed. | X | X | |
