Four years after signing the historic 2022 agreement to protect nature, Monaco joined international negotiators in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19th to 30th October for a major review of global environmental progress.
Operating under the banner ‘Taking action for nature’, the summit provided an important first progress check since the ‘2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’, measuring international efforts towards key 2030 goals.
The Yerevan Pathway and key summit outcomes
At the heart of the two-week summit was a drive to accelerate action toward 2030 targets, including protecting at least 30% of global land and sea. Negotiations focused on scaling up sustainable finance and global cooperation, culminating in the adoption of ‘The Yerevan Pathway’. This new roadmap urges signatory states to cut nature-harmful subsidies, integrate biodiversity into national budgets, and increase financial and technical support for developing nations.
The conference closed with nearly 50 new agreements covering marine ecosystems, protected land, and invasive species. Negotiators also approved the landmark Sevan Guidelines to give indigenous and local communities a permanent voice in future treaty work, while securing nearly $2 billion in new global funding pledges.
Monaco targets marine protection and climate links
Represented by officials from the Department of External Relations and Cooperation alongside the Department of the Environment, Monaco’s delegation played an active role across key negotiating tracks throughout the summit.
The team focused on marine and coastal biodiversity, protected areas, and the direct links between biodiversity loss and climate change. Discussions also centred on securing public and private finance for nations most vulnerable to environmental degradation, particularly Small Island Developing States.
High-level diplomatic talks
Monaco’s political backing was led by Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, who joined fellow government leaders for the summit’s ministerial sessions on 27th and 28th October. Addressing delegates, Caron-Dagioni reaffirmed the Principality’s commitment to the Kunming-Montreal framework, highlighting updates to Monaco’s ‘National Biodiversity Strategy to 2030’ and ongoing conservation projects.
On the sidelines, the Minister held bilateral talks with Dr. Gretel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a long-standing partner of Monaco in species preservation. Caron-Dagioni also met with Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment at the Council of Europe, highlighting the link between environmental protection and human rights during Monaco’s presidency of the Committee of Ministers.
Turning global goals into local action
With the summit concluded, Monaco is turning these international commitments into action back home. National priorities over the coming years will focus on expanding urban greening, restoring local habitats, and finalising the Principality’s updated 2030 biodiversity strategy to help slow down nature loss.
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Céline Caron-Dagioni, Minister of Equipment, Environment and Urban Planning, speaking at COP17. Photo credit: IIS/ENB – Mike Muzurakis