Friedrich Wulf, Pro Natura – Friends of the Earth Switzerland
2026 is a key year for the implementation of the KMGBF and the CBD as a whole. At this year’s COP in
Armenia, we should have before us a Global report that tells us where we are on track and where we are off track to reach our targets by 2030. This global stocktake will enable us, and incentivize us, to pinpoint the major gaps and to upscale action in order to achieve the targets. It will be essential to set up evaluation processes of the different measures that are being implemented. Which policy options bring real benefit for biodiversity, which ones don’t?
In order to have a good and well-founded global report, it is necessary that every party reports on their progress and, importantly, where they are standing in relation to the achievement of the targets through their 7th national reports, within the given deadline. However, developing country Parties face numerous challenges in submitting their reports. We call for the speedy provision of financial resources to enable them to do so within the expected timeline. A first submission has been made on Friday, and we encourage countries to make every effort to hand in their reports on time. At the same time, we are concerned about ongoing deregulation processes in many countries that can severely slow down progress in the next reporting phase and jeopardize the achievement of the KMGBF.
The implementation of the KMGBF can only work if it continues to be a collaborative effort. Participation of civil society is essential. In this context, we note that while there are some good examples of keeping civil society involved, there are also some national reports where we have not been consulted.
Non-state actors are invited to submit their commitments by the end of this month. While this is an opportunity to show the role that civil society organisations have in implementing the KMGBF, but it also gives an opportunity to corporations for greenwashing. More clarity is needed on how these non-state actor commitments will be used. What is clear is that it is the national reports of parties that need to give the necessary information to develop a global report that gives us an understanding where we stand in the implementation of the KMGBF.
Finally, we note that some groups, particularly smaller or less formally recognized organisations, face practical barriers in navigating the submission process in the Online Reporting tool. We would like parties to be aware of these challenges.