India Reaffirms Biodiversity Framework Commitment at CBD COP-17

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-17) is being held in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. On 27 October, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav delivered India’s National Statement at the conference’s High-Level Segment. India reaffirmed its commitment to biodiversity conservation and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Convention on Biological Diversity

The CBD is a multilateral treaty adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. It entered into force in 1993 and has three objectives: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The Conference of the Parties is the treaty’s governing body, and its meetings are known as COPs. The KMGBF was adopted at CBD COP-15 in Montreal in December 2022. It sets four long-term goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030. India has stated that implementation should take account of national priorities, circumstances and legislation.

India’s Biodiversity Framework

India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan translates the KMGBF into 23 national biodiversity targets and 142 indicators. India called for adequate and predictable finance, capacity building and technology transfer from developed countries to support implementation of global biodiversity goals. India supports benefit-sharing from digital sequence information on genetic resources through multilateral mechanisms, including the Cali Fund. The fund is linked to benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources. India also advocates a science-based, risk-proportionate and precautionary approach to synthetic biology and biosafety.

Protected Areas and Related Measures

As of 27 October 2026, India had 1,134 Protected Areas, 103 Ramsar sites, 57 Biodiversity Heritage Sites and 18 Biosphere Reserves. Thirteen of India’s Biosphere Reserves are part of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Important Facts for Exams

• The CBD was opened for signature at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit and entered into force on 29 December 1993.
• The KMGBF was adopted at CBD COP-15 in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022.
• The KMGBF includes the 2030 target to conserve at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland-water, coastal and marine areas.
• The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.

India’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan contains 23 national targets and 142 indicators. India’s national statement at COP-17 was delivered on 27 October 2026.