CBD COP-17: India Seeks Predictable Biodiversity Finance in Yerevan
Why in the news
On 27 October 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav presented India’s statement at the high-level segment of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP-17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Yerevan, Armenia.
Key facts
- Venue: Yerevan, Armenia; COP-17 runs from 19 to 30 October 2026.
- Finance demand: developed countries should give adequate and predictable finance, capacity building and technology transfer to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
- National priorities: implementation must reflect each country’s circumstances and laws.
- NBSAP: 23 national targets supported by 142 indicators.
- DSI: India supports benefit-sharing from digital sequence information on genetic resources, including through the Cali Fund.
- Synthetic biology: India sought a science-based, risk-proportionate and precautionary approach.
- Initiatives cited: International Big Cat Alliance (seven big cat species), Mission LiFE, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, MISHTI, Amrit Dharohar and Soil Health Card.
India’s conservation network
| Category | Number |
|---|---|
| Protected areas | 1,134 |
| Ramsar sites | 103 |
| Biodiversity Heritage Sites | 57 |
| Biosphere reserves | 18 (13 in UNESCO MAB network) |
About India’s position
Yadav said India has aligned its laws with the Convention and set up village-level committees for decentralised access and benefit-sharing. He closed with the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
Exam angle
- COP-17 host city: Yerevan, Armenia.
- NBSAP numbers: 23 targets, 142 indicators.
- Ramsar sites: 103; biosphere reserves in UNESCO MAB: 13 of 18.
- Cali Fund relates to benefit-sharing from DSI.