AfDB to press biodiversity finance at COP17 in Yerevan
African Development Bank Group will join CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, pushing biodiversity finance, nature-based solutions and support for African countries' plans.
The story in focus
The African Development Bank Group says it will attend the UN biodiversity summit CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, advocating stronger support for African countries implementing biodiversity commitments and mobilising investment. Its delegation, led by climate director Anthony Nyong, will join Finance Day, ministerial and multilateral bank sessions.
- The conference runs 19-30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, under the theme Taking Action for Nature.
- Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate and Green Growth, will lead the Bank Group delegation.
- COP17 includes the first global review of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted in 2022.
What the bank will push
The African Development Bank Group announced it will take part in the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Yerevan from 19 to 30 October 2026. The bank said it will advocate for stronger support to African countries in implementing biodiversity commitments and in mobilising investments that generate environmental and development benefits.
It said its engagements will focus on nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, natural capital accounting and innovative financing mechanisms intended to help African countries deliver their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans. Anthony Nyong, Director of Climate and Green Growth, leads the delegation.
Sessions and the global stocktake
The bank will co-host the joint Multilateral Development Banks Pavilion and take part in Finance Day discussions, ministerial sessions and coordination meetings with other multilateral banks. It also plans engagements with African governments and the African Group of Negotiators.
Listed events include a session on park bonds as a biodiversity finance instrument for protected areas in West Africa, a discussion on blended finance for Africa's nature-positive bioeconomy, and the launch of a multilateral bank briefing note on supporting biodiversity objectives through bank operations.
COP17 will feature the first global review of progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. Participants are to assess delivery of global commitments and identify priorities, including mobilising finance and strengthening implementation support for developing countries.
Who is affected
The bank frames the continent's ecosystems as underpinning food and water security, climate resilience, livelihoods and long-term growth. The conference gathers governments, development institutions, scientists, indigenous and local community groups, civil society, youth representatives and private sector leaders.
What will the African Development Bank focus on at COP17?
It says it will advocate stronger support for African countries implementing biodiversity commitments and mobilising investment, focusing on nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, natural capital accounting and innovative financing tied to national biodiversity plans.
Sources & further reading
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