From 23 to 25 September 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, the European Union, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD), the Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Med), and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS), is hosting a Regional Dialogue for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) and for the 44 Parties covered by the new European Subregional Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre (TSC). This meeting is organised with the support of the CO-OP4CBD project.

This three-day event builds on the outcomes of UN CBD's COP16, which called for enhanced cooperation in planning, monitoring, reporting and review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM GBF). During the first day, the Dialogue will provide an opportunity for Parties and stakeholders to come together to share experiences in revising and implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) as well as in reporting efforts, highlighting common challenges, innovative approaches and practical lessons learned from across the region. On days 2 and 3, participants will work together to identify capacity-building needs, including in relation to technical and institutional support required at the national level. This exchange is intended to foster regional cooperation and peer-to-peer learning, allowing participants to shape the TSC’s structure, planned activities and services -  all with the ultimate goal of strengthening the KM GBF's implementation.

A key milestone of the event will be the official launch of the TSC itself. Hosted and coordinated by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) through the Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) and implemented in partnership with IUCN Med and RBINS, the Centre will support 44 countries in implementing the KM GBF.

At the heart of the TSC’s operational model is a network of Knowledge Hubs, each aligned with one of the KM GBF’s 23 targets. The Dialogue will provide space to explore how these hubs function, the types of support they offer and how they can be adapted to the specific needs of participating countries.

The event will serve as a platform to co-develop a shared roadmap for regional collaboration and inclusive stakeholder engagement. By bringing together national representatives, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, NGOs and other key actors, the Dialogue aims to lay the groundwork for a more coordinated and participatory approach to biodiversity governance across Europe and beyond.

More details about the meeting and the online registration for it can be found here.