From 19 to 30 October, Yerevan, Armenia, will bring together governments, scientists, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Ocean & Climate Platform (OCP) will be on the ground throughout COP17! Will you be there? Come and join us at the following events:
Monday 19 October
[Official side-event] “Blue Thread: Aligning Biodiversity and Climate Strategies”
13.15 – 14.45 | Gyumri – Contact Group 6
Co-organised by: Government of Brazil, Government of France and the Ocean & Climate Platform with the support of Ocean Conservancy, World Resources Institute, WWF
As Parties take stock of collective progress in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework, there is a timely opportunity to assess the extent to which these solutions have been integrated into national strategies, and whether these strategies are being developed and implemented in a coherent and mutually reinforcing manner. This side event will explore national case studies to examine these linkages and identify pathways to strengthen policy coherence. In particular, the event will showcase the Blue NDC Challenge and its implementation taskforce as an opportunity to support the “blue thread” connecting national climate and biodiversity strategies and their efficient implementation.
Wednesday 21 October
[Official side-event] The Ocean in the Global Review: Progress, Gaps and Ways Forward
4.30-6.00pm | Vayk – Side-event Room 3
Co-organised in partnership with Blue Marine Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, Ocean & Climate Platform, UN WCMC, Convention on Migratory Species and Dugong MOU. More to be confirmed!
Four years after the adoption of the Framework, the first global review of collective progress offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements made and identify where further action is needed. This side event will assess whether ocean-based action is advancing and explore options to accelerate action towards 2030. In particular, it will consider the Ocean Breakthroughs and insights emerging from their Dashboard, highlighting potential pathways to raise ambition, strengthen accountability and translate GBF commitments into measurable action for marine and coastal ecosystems.
Friday 23 October
[Side-event] Safeguarding Marine Biodiversity amid New and Intensifying Ocean Uses
4.00-5.15 PM (UTC + 4) | Ocean Pavilion
Co-organised by: Ocean & Climate Platform and the Deep Sea Conservation Coalition, in partnership with the Fossil Free Ocean Initiative, the International Programme on the State of the Ocean, Oceans North and SeaBlue Canada.
As ocean-based activities expand in response to climate, energy and resource demands, there is a growing need to better understand and address their potential impacts on marine biodiversity. This side event will explore the growing pressures facing the ocean, from deep-sea mining to poorly-planned offshore energy deployment, unsustainable fisheries, marine geoengineering, and offshore oil and gas exploitation. It will discuss pathways to prevent, reduce or address these impacts, safeguarding marine and coastal biodiversity to ensure continued provision of ecosystem services including subsistence and livelihoods for billions of coastal people.
Saturday 24 October
[Side-event] One Ocean, Multiple Agreements: Strengthening Synergies Between the New High Seas Treaty with CBD and Other Relevant Bodies
4.00-5.15pm ( UTC + 4) | Ocean Pavillon
Co-organised in partnership with Birdlife International, Blue Marine Foundation, Earth Echo International, Greenpeace, IFAW, Fundacion Marviva, High Seas Alliance and Ocean & Climate Platform.
The entry into force of the High Seas Treaty (formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement) on 17 January 2026 marks a new and exciting chapter for ocean protection. Covering almost half the planet and two thirds of the ocean, this new agreement provides an unprecedented opportunity to reverse this fragmentation if the Treaty becomes a catalyst for effective coordination with relevant frameworks and bodies rather than another isolated agreement. reaffirming the value of multilateralism and collective action. This side-event will bring together political, scientific, Indigenous Peoples and civil society representatives to reflect on the synergies and potential pathways to move from fragmentation to integration for the BBNJ Agreement.