As Parties move from planning to implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), COP17 represents a critical moment to reflect on the Framework's early impact and identify what is needed to accelerate progress towards the 2030 targets.

Unlike previous global biodiversity frameworks, the KMGBF adopts a whole-of-society approach, recognizing that achieving its goals requires action by actors far beyond governments. Through its implementation considerations (Section C), the Framework emphasizes not only what actions are needed but how they should be implemented, which is to be grounded in human rights-based approaches, gender responsiveness, intergenerational equity, and the meaningful engagement of all rights-holders. It also seeks to address the underlying drivers of biodiversity loss through transformative change.

As informed by the experiences and project implementation from chapters of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), young people are already contributing to this vision through national policy engagement, community-based conservation, restoration, education, research, advocacy, and innovation. As implementation gathers pace, there is an opportunity to evaluate collective progress, reflect on lessons learnt, and identify how policy commitments can translate into sustained action and measurable outcomes on the ground.

This side event will bring together youth leaders and partners to examine the role of youth in delivering the KMGBF, share practical experiences from implementation, and articulate youth priorities for COP17 and the road to 2030.

Objectives

• Reflect on early progress in implementing the KMGBF through the lens of equity, accountability and collective action.

• Showcase youth-led initiatives contributing to KMGBF implementation, including GYBN Chapter engagement in national biodiversity processes, the GYBN Fellowship Program and non-formal biodiversity education.

• Explore lessons learned from youth participation in national implementation, monitoring, and review processes.

• Identify key youth priorities and recommendations to strengthen KMGBF implementation, resource mobilization, and PMRR processes leading to 2030.

• Foster dialogue between youth, governments, and partners on enabling meaningful and sustained youth contributions to biodiversity action.

Illustrative Case Studies

• GYBN Chapter engagement in NBSAP development and implementation

• GYBN Fellowship Program

• Youth-led advocacy, restoration and community action

• Regional examples of youth engagement in biodiversity governance

Target Speakers

• Party delegates and negotiators

• National CBD Focal Points

• Youth organizations and networks

• Indigenous youth representatives

Expected outcomes

The side event will provide a platform to demonstrate the diverse ways in which young people are contributing to KMGBF implementation while facilitating dialogue on how these contributions can be better recognized, supported, and scaled. It will generate practical recommendations for strengthening equitable and accountable implementation, enhancing resource mobilization and PMRR processes, and reinforcing meaningful youth engagement as an essential component of achieving the KMGBF by 2030. It will also strengthen partnerships between youth, governments, and other stakeholders, helping to translate global commitments into lasting biodiversity outcomes at national and local levels.