27 October 2026
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Ireland coordinating European Union and EU Member States as holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union
- The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 17) takes place in Yerevan, Armenia from the 19th to the 30th October. The High Level Segment of the event takes place on the 27th and 28th October.
- A full schedule of meetings is available here: Convention on Biological Diversity. Some events will be livestreamed.
- Ireland currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and is coordinating EU positions during the negotiations.
Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, will represent Ireland at the High-Level Segment of the Seventeenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) which is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia this week.
Under the theme ‘Taking Action for Nature’, COP17 will bring together 196 parties from around the world to review progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the landmark international agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
As holder of the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, Ireland is playing a central role in coordinating the position of the European Union and its Members States throughout the negotiations, helping to build consensus on key priorities in the lead up to the event.
Speaking from Yerevan, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD, said:
“When we think about restoring nature, international negotiations can seem a long way away from the actual action on the ground. The reality, however, is that the triple environmental crises our planet is facing – nature loss, climate change and pollution – can only be solved if we all work together.
“That’s what these COPs are for. Here in Yerevan, I’m working with colleagues from across the EU and partners from around the world to demonstrate strong leadership on biodiversity, build consensus for action and help keep the focus on delivery, ensuring that international commitments result in meaningful outcomes for nature and for people.”
During the conference, Ireland will work with EU Member States and the European Commission on a range of priority issues, including the Global Review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the mobilisation of finance to support biodiversity action globally.
While attending COP17, Minister O’Sullivan will participate in a series of high-level ministerial dialogues, bilateral engagements and international events focused on advancing global biodiversity goals.