From 19 to 30 October 2026, CO-OP4CBD, BioAgora, RESPIN, Biodiversa+ and NetworkNature will join forces at the UN Biodiversity Conference, COP17, in Yerevan, Armenia. Together, the five initiatives will host the EU Science for Biodiversity exhibition booth in the conference’s Blue Zone.

The booth will provide a shared meeting and exhibition space for representatives of research, policy and practice working to advance biodiversity knowledge and action. It will also demonstrate how EU-funded initiatives are strengthening the biodiversity science–policy interface and contributing to the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

A shared space for knowledge, exchange and collaboration

Throughout COP17, the EU Science for Biodiversity booth will offer an engaging programme of meetings, presentations, demonstrations and informal exchanges.

Visitors will be able to:

• Discover results, tools and resources developed by the five organising initiatives;
• Meet project representatives and discuss opportunities for collaboration;
• Attend small meetings, demonstrations and project presentations;
• Explore printed and digital materials from other EU-funded biodiversity projects;
• Follow videos, interviews and project results presented through the booth’s digital displays;
• Learn more about European contributions to biodiversity research, policy and implementation.

While the booth is organised by the five partner initiatives, it is intended to serve the wider community of EU-funded biodiversity projects attending COP17. Dedicated time slots will allow additional projects to present their work, display promotional materials and connect with conference participants.

CO-OP4CBD activities and key messages

CO-OP4CBD’s participation will emphasise the importance of sustained cooperation, knowledge exchange and capacity development for effective implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The project will demonstrate how stronger connections between biodiversity experts, policymakers and national actors can support the translation of global commitments into practical action.

CO-OP4CBD is organising and contributing to a variety of events on-site, including:

• Synergies among the Rio Conventions in the EU context

          20 October 2026, 15:00 (GMT+4)

          Spitak, Side-event Room 2

• Strengthening the science-policy interface to improve the understanding and implementation of the CBD in Armenia, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

          21 October 2026, 14:05 (GMT+4)

          Armenian Pavilion, Blue Zone

• Science-Policy-Practice Innovations for Biodiversity

           21 October 2026, 15:00 (GMT+4)

           Nordic Pavilion

• Let’s Build Our Story Together: Enhancing the Collective Biodiversity Narrative for Action

           22 October 2026, 10:15 (GMT+4)

           IUCN Pavilion, Forum B

• Strengthening the science-policy interface to improve the understanding and implementation of the CBD in Armenia, Eastern Europe and the Caucasus

          22 October 2026, 16:00 (GMT+4)

          AUCB Pavilion

• Evolution of SPI & TSCCs

          23 October 2026, 16:00 (GMT+4)

          Georgian Pavilion

• Focus on the Briefs: Translating knowledge into negotiations

          27 October 2026, 11:30 (GMT+4)

          Vayk, Side-event Room 3

• From knowledge to action: empowering knowledge holders to engage in environmental and science-policy processes (IPBES, IPCC, CBD)

          29 October 2026, 11:30 (GMT+4)

          Data to Action Pavilion

• Adopting a rights-holders responsive approach to biodiversity data collection, monitoring and reporting

           30 October 2026, 14:45 (GMT+4)

           Data to Action Pavilion

These events will create space for an open discussion on how research initiatives can support policy more effectively, collaborate across institutional and project boundaries, and increase the reach and impact of their results.

Meet us at COP17

The EU Science for Biodiversity booth will be active throughout COP17, from 19 to 30 October. Conference participants are invited to visit the booth, meet the participating teams and explore opportunities for cooperation.

Further information about the booth, participating initiatives and joint programme is available at our special COP17 webpage - https://coop4cbd.eu/cop17.