Event description: 

The adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework established an ambitious global roadmap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The CBDCOP17 constitutes a critical halfway point  to accelerate implementation towards the 2030 deadline. The first Global Review of collective progress in its implementation will bring renewed attention to the ability of Parties to translate global commitments into effective action adapted to national, regional and subregional needs.

In this context, capacity development, technical and scientific cooperation, knowledge transfer and access to relevant expertise are essential conditions for effective implementation. Regional and subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centres (TSCCs) are expected to play a growing role in connecting the objectives of the Convention with the needs of Parties and with available scientific and technical communities. They can facilitate peer-to-peer learning, identify priority capacity and technology needs, mobilize expertise and data, and promote solutions adapted to shared regional contexts. However, their operationalization presents significant challenges : TSCCs are at different stages of development and may rely on diverse strategies, partnerships and support mechanisms to fulfil their mandate. Beyond capacity building alone, there is a need to better understand how TSCCs can build and mobilize supportive ecosystems around their missions, and how institutions, initiatives and partners can position their support in a useful and coordinated way. 

This side-event therefore aims to provide a solution-oriented space to explore how TSCCs can be supported through complementary forms of cooperation, building on past experiences, ongoing initiatives and future experiments.  By combining lessons from the Target 3 subregional workshops (CBD Secretariat, HAC N&P Secretariat, NatureXpairs, IUCN WCPA, OFB), the presentation of a forthcoming Knowledge Hub pilot on Target 4 (OFB, MNHN), and a strategic discussion among TSCCs, it will identify practical pathways for building supportive ecosystems around TSCCs for accelerated action.

The event will first draw lessons from the twelve regional capacity-building workshops on Target 3 implementation convened between 2024 and 2026 by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, NatureXpairs and the French Office for Biodiversity, in close collaboration with regional partners and specific countries. Bringing together more than 600 participants from more than 100 countries, these workshops generated practical knowledge and valuable insights on 30x30 implementation, including challenges related to OECMs, management effectiveness, financing, recognition of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ contributions, and cross-sectoral coordination. 

The French National Museum of Natural History and the French Biodiversity Agency will then present a pilot initiative to support TSCCs. The initiative aims to test a model of support to regional and subregional centres through the development of an initial scientific and technical Knowledge Hub focused on Target 4 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, addressing species extinction, genetic diversity and human–wildlife interactions. The pilot will combine the structuring of a community of experts, the identification of scientific and technical priorities with TSCCs, capacity-development activities and the production of practical knowledge resources. 
These two presentations – one drawing lessons from an already implemented support process, the other proposing a forward-looking model – will help reflect on relevant support formats, including target-specific facilitation, peer learning, regional exchange and country-driven dialogue.

Following these presentations, TSCCs will be invited to share their own experience and reflections through presentations and a moderated round-table. The discussion will focus on the strategies they have used, or intend to develop, to structure their missions, mobilize expertise, build partnerships and position themselves within broader ecosystems of support. TSCCs at different stages of development will be able to reflect on the types of cooperation, institutional arrangements, tools and partnerships that can help them strengthen their operational role and better support Parties’ implementation priorities. 

 

NB / The side-event may be further adjusted after submission, in particular to ensure complementarity with other events addressing TSCCs, capacity development or the science-policy interface. The outcomes of SBI-7 may also be used to update the introduction, guiding questions and policy terminology prior to final submission.

Priority guiding questions

• What ecosystems of actors, partnerships and resources do TSCCs need to structure their missions and strengthen their operational capacity?

• How can support mechanisms remain regionally relevant and complementary to existing TSCC mandates and activities?

• What lessons can be drawn from existing TSCC experience and from previous target-specific support initiatives, such as the 30x30 workshops?

• What added value could target-focused Knowledge Hubs provide as practical support mechanisms for TSCCs?

• What conditions would enable such support models to be sustained, adapted and replicated across targets and regions?

Objectives: 

• Draw lessons from existing target-specific support initiatives, including the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and NatureXpairs workshops related to Target 3 and the 30x30 objective.

• Present and discuss the MNHN–OFB pilot Knowledge Hub on Target 4 as a possible model for providing structured, specialized and needs-based support to TSCCs.

• Share experiences and lessons learned from TSCCs on the strategies they have used, or intend to develop, to mobilize expertise, access support and respond to regional and subregional needs.

• Explore how TSCCs at different stages of development can strengthen their capacities and build supportive ecosystems of partners.

• Identify the types of actors, partnerships, tools and resources that can support the development and operationalization of TSCCs, including public institutions, scientific organizations, technical initiatives, financial partners and other relevant stakeholders.

• Promote dialogue and potential cooperation among TSCCs, Parties, scientific institutions, public and private partners, capacity-development initiatives and technical and financial actors.

Proposed 90-minute agenda (to be adjusted) : 

Moderator : NatureXpairs and/or OFB

 

5 min | Opening remarks (CBD Secretariat) 

Welcome remarks and framing of the side-event: why supporting TSCCs matters for COP17, the Global Review and the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 

 

20 min | Lessons from the Target 3 regional workshops (keynotes – HAC N&P, NatureXpairs, IUCN WCPA)

Focus : key findings from the twelve 30x30 workshops, recurring implementation challenges, and lessons learned on target-specific support formats, peer learning and regional exchange.

• 5 min | Overview of the regional and subregional workshop process and objectives and setting the context: why the midpoint to 2030 matters for acceleration, capacities for 30x30 (CBD Sec and IUCN WCPA)

• 15 min | Key findings and regional perspectives : representation of cross-regional findings, common challenges, opportunities, and emerging priorities, regional perspectives on implementation pathways (HAC N&P, NatureXpairs)

 

10 min | Target-focused Knowledge Hubs, a future model to support TSCCs in translating the GBF into regional action ? : the MNHN-OFB pilot project on Target 4 (keynote – French National Museum of Natural History or French Biodiversity Agency)

Focus: rationale, proposed structure, expected activities and added value of a target-focused scientific and technical Knowledge Hub in support of TSCCs.

 

15 min | TSCC perspectives on building supportive ecosystems (Short keynotes from selected TSCCs – SANBI, RBINS, ACB, Humboldt Institute or other centres).

Focus : current and future strategies to structure missions, mobilize expertise, build partnerships and position the centre within regional and international cooperation landscapes.

 

30 min | Moderated round-table: turning needs into concrete support (moderated by NatureXpairs or OFB)

Discussion among TSCCs – e.g. SANBI, RBIN, ACB, Humboldt Institute and other potential TSCCs - and other participants.

Focus : reflecting on needs, past experience and relevant support formats

 

5 min | Questions and reactions from the floor

Open discussion with Parties, partners and other participants.

 

5 min | Closing remarks (TBC) 

Summary of key takeaways and possible follow-up actions after COP17.