CBD COP17 takes place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, under the theme "Taking Action for Nature" to advance global action on biodiversity.
The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17) takes place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. Under the theme “Taking Action for Nature,” the meeting brings together governments, international organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, civil society and other stakeholders to advance global action on biodiversity and review collective progress towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Minamata Convention Secretariat participates in discussions and exchanges aimed at enhancing cooperation and synergies between the two conventions. Its activities at CBD COP17 include contributions to discussions on mercury pollution prevention and biodiversity protection, biodiversity and health, and Indigenous leadership in addressing mercury pollution and protecting biodiversity.
This page highlights the Minamata Convention Secretariat’s activities at CBD COP17.
Throughout the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention is contributing to side events and high-level discussions addressing the links between mercury pollution, biodiversity and human health. These include cooperation across conventions, Indigenous leadership, environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes, biodiversity finance, women's roles in addressing pollution and protecting biodiversity, among other topics.
The schedule is subject to change. The full programme, including information on all sessions and speakers, is available on the official CBD COP17 website.
⏰ 18:15 | 📍 Spitak – Side-event Room 2
Jointly organized by the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions, the Minamata Convention Secretariat, and the Global Framework on Chemicals. Full story here.
⏰ 13:15 | 📍 Room Youth
Jointly organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Secretariat of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions and the Minamata Convention Secretariat. Full story here.
⏰ 10:00 | 📍 GEF Pavilion
Event led by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in collaboration with the Minamata Convention Secretariat, Inclusive Conservation Initiative partners and Indigenous Peoples and local community-led project organizations. Full story here.
⏰ 13:00 | 📍 Saryan Banquet Hall, Room 58, Tower B, Level 4
Presidency event hosted by the government of Armenia. Concept note here.
⏰ 10:00
Opening of the high-level segment and panel discussion hosted by the government of Armenia. Further details will be added as they become available. Provisional programme here.
⏰ 13:15 | 📍 Saryan Banquet Hall
High-level ministerial dialogue and luncheon hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Further details will be added as they become available. Concept note here.
⏰ 8:00 | 📍 Meridian Expo Center – Banquet Hall
Ministerial event hosted by the governments of Armenia, Colombia, Germany and Norway. Further details will be added as they become available. Concept note here.
⏰ 11:30 | 📍 Spitak – Side-event Room, Level 2
Hosted and facilitated by Women4Biodiversity and Vital Voices, with partners including the Women's Caucus for the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Minamata Convention Secretariat, UN Women, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN). Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention, is scheduled to participate as a speaker. This event has been organized thanks to the co-financing of Spain as well as the European Union under the project of the Minamata Convention Secretariat titled "Support to intersessional work to advance implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury". Proposed agenda here.
⏰ 13:45
COP17 Presidency event convened with the UN Environment Programme. Further details will be added as they become available. Concept note here.
⏰ 15:00 | 📍 Women's Caucus Room – Blue Zone
This Presidency Event is hosted by the government of Armenia, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Further details will be added as they become available. Provisional programme here.
⏰ 12:00 | 📍 GEF Pavillion
Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary of the Minamata Convention, is scheduled to meet with GEF CEO Diego Mesa Puyo. Further details will be added as they become available.
The Secretariat contributed to a CBD COP17 side event in Armenia that explored women’s roles in addressing the interconnected challenges of mercury pollution, biodiversity loss and human health.
On the margins of CBD COP17, the Minamata Convention Secretariat had the opportunity to meet informally with representatives of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Mercury.
The Secretariat of the Minamata Convention joined Indigenous leaders and partners from across regions at a side event during CBD COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, on 23 October.
The Secretariat joined representatives of environmental conventions and international organizations at a side event on biodiversity and health during CBD COP17 on 21 October.
The Secretariat participated in a side event at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), held on 20 October in Yerevan, Armenia.