Title: Strengthening Gender-Responsive Technical and Scientific Cooperation for KM-GBF Implementation: The Role of Regional and Subregional Support Centres

Co-Conveners/Partners:
CBD Women’s Caucus in collaboration with Regional and subregional support centres: 

• Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD)

• Caribbean Community (CARICOM) 

• Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 

• UNEP-WCMC

• IUCN CEESP

 

Date: Tuesday 4 August 2026

Time: 18:15 to 19:20 (UTC+3)

Room: CR-11 - JUSCANZ room / 2nd floor

Description

Through Decision 15/8, the Conference of the Parties adopted the Long-Term Strategic Framework for Capacity-Building and Development and established the Technical and Scientific Cooperation (TSC) Mechanism, comprising a network of regional and/or subregional support centres coordinated by a global coordination entity. The mechanism is intended to support Parties in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) through strengthened technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, capacity-building and peer learning.

At SBI-7, Parties will review progress in the implementation of the Long-Term Strategic Framework and the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Mechanism, including activity reports submitted by regional and subregional support centres and the global coordination entity for the 2025–2026 period. Discussions under this agenda item are expected to identify gaps, challenges and opportunities to improve the delivery of technical and scientific cooperation ahead of COP17.

At the same time, the KM-GBF and the CBD Gender Plan of Action (2023–2030), adopted through Decision 15/11, recognize that gender equality, a human rights-based approach, and the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive participation and leadership of women and girls in all their diversity are essential for successful biodiversity implementation.

Despite this mandate, there has been limited discussion on how the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Mechanism — particularly regional and subregional support centres — can integrate gender-responsive approaches into their mandates, programming, technical assistance, partnerships and implementation support. This includes strengthening engagement with women’s organizations and leaders, including those from Indigenous Peoples and from local and African-descent communities, as well as with gender experts in regional and subregional implementation processes.

This side event aims to create a dialogue space between representatives of regional and subregional support centres, women’s organizations including those from Indigenous Peoples and from local and African-descent communities, Parties and other stakeholders to reflect on the opportunities, challenges and support needs for advancing gender-responsive implementation of the KM-GBF through the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Mechanism.

Objectives

• Explore the role that regional and subregional support centres can play in advancing gender-responsive implementation of the KM-GBF and the CBD Gender Plan of Action.

• Identify institutional, technical, financial and capacity-related gaps affecting the integration of gender-responsive approaches within the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Mechanism.

• Facilitate exchange between support centres, women’s organizations, including those from Indigenous Peoples and local communities, Parties and technical partners on regional experiences and good practices.

• Generate reflections and practical recommendations that could inform ongoing discussions under SBI agenda and future strengthening of the mechanism ahead of COP17.

Proposed Run of Show (65 min)

 

 

During the session there will be a running mentimeter for participants to provide their perspectives: How can women-led organizations, Indigenous Peoples, local communities and other rights holders be meaningfully engaged in the work of Regional and Subregional Support Centres—not just as beneficiaries, but as partners in implementation? 

 

Contact: shruti@cbdwomencaucus.org