Biodiversity loss continues at an alarming pace, despite the progress reflected in the draft global review of implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). Accelerated and cross-sector action is urgently needed to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and achieve its goals by 2030. Initiatives such as UNCTAD’s BioTrade Initiative and Sustainable Manufacturing and Environmental Pollution  (SMEP)  Programme, the Bioeconomy Challenge and the G20 Principles on Bioeconomy have highlighted the role of sustainable trade, its positive potential remains underutilized and often confined to wildlife trade. (See for instance: Trade and BioTrade’s contribution to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and synergies with the other Sustainable Development Goals).

Admittedly, international trade can contribute to pressures on biodiversity through land-use change, overexploitation of natural resources, the spread of invasive alien species, and pollution. At the same time, when supported by appropriate policies and governance frameworks and business models, trade can incentivize the sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable sharing of benefit. Trade can also improve resource efficiency, reduce pollution, foster innovation and diffusion of sustainable technologies, strengthen sustainable value chains, support export diversification and contribute to economic growth and sustainable development. Equally, biodiversity is crucial for international trade.  Trade in biodiversity-based products represented around 17.5% (US$3,8 trillion) of global trade in 2024 (UNCTADstat, 2026), illustrating the extent to which healthy ecosystems are integral to global production and livelihoods.

Building on the outcomes of CBD COP16 Trade Day, the planned trade webinar under the CBD’s Communities of Practice Webinar series and the ongoing work of the Bioeconomy Challenge’s Market Development Working Group of COP30 Action Agenda, this side event will strengthen understanding of how trade policies can support KMGBF implementation and inform COP17 deliberations, including on the global review of progress of KMGBF implementation.

Objectives

• Present key findings from UNCTAD trade and biodiversity related-work, including Global Trade Update on biodiversity-related issues (October 2026); 
• Take stock of evidence, data, tools and approaches on the trade–biodiversity linkages, including insights from OECD work on trade and biodiversity, and the Environmental Outlook on the Triple Planetary Crisis;
• Identify key opportunities and risks at the trade-biodiversity nexus, including in the context of the transition towards sustainable and inclusive bioeconomies and the biodiversity-climate linkages;
• Explore policy pathways and international cooperation to better align trade and biodiversity with KMGBF implementation, while supporting sustainable development; and
• Foster dialogue among governments, international organizations, private sector, academia, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and civil society on practical pathways to harness trade in support of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and equitable benefit-sharing.

Expected outcomes

Co-organized by UNCTAD, CBD Secretariat and OECD, this event will strengthen the evidence base on the trade-biodiversity linkages, facilitate exchange of experiences and good practices, and support more coherent policy approaches linking trade, biodiversity and the bioeconomy for effective KMGBF implementation. The discussions are expected to inform deliberations at CBD COP17, including the global review of progress in implementing the KMGBF, and identify areas for enhanced international cooperation.

Tentative programme

• Welcome by moderator and setting the scene: general overview of the trade, biodiversity and bioeconomy nexus and the CBD/KMGBF (CBD Secretariat)
• Sustainable use of biodiversity through trade: key findings from UNCTAD’s GTU on biodiversity, as well as from its work on BioTrade, ocean and circular economy and pollution (UNCTAD)
• Insights from OECD’s work on trade and biodiversity, and the Environmental Outlook on the Triple Planetary Crisis (OECD)
• Trade and biodiversity in WTO processes and discussions, including ongoing work of environmental initiatives (WTO Secretariat)
• Experiences from developing and developed countries on using trade and trade-related policies to support biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and benefit-sharing (European Union, and developing country representative tbc)
• Interactive discussions with participants
• Closing remarks: key takeaways and opportunities for future collaboration