India reaffirms global biodiversity commitment at COP-17, calls for predictable climate finance, technology transfer

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 27, 2026

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday reaffirmed India's commitment to biodiversity conservation and called for strengthened international cooperation, adequate and predictable financing, capacity-building and technology transfer to ensure effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Delivering India's national statement at the high-level segment of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-17) in Yerevan, Armenia, Yadav stressed that global biodiversity goals must be implemented in accordance with national priorities, circumstances and legislation.

He appreciated the Armenian government for hosting the conference and emphasised the need for collective efforts to ensure that humanity lives in harmony with nature.

The minister said developed countries must provide adequate and predictable financial resources, along with capacity-building and technology transfer, to support developing nations in meeting their biodiversity commitments.

India also supports benefit-sharing from digital sequence information on genetic resources through a multilateral mechanism, including the Cali Fund, he said.

Yadav advocated a science-based, risk-proportionate and precautionary approach to synthetic biology and biosafety, highlighting the importance of responsible scientific advancement alongside environmental protection.

Underscoring India's efforts to translate global commitments into national action, the minister said the country's updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan incorporates the Global Biodiversity Framework into 23 national biodiversity targets and 142 indicators.

Highlighting India's conservation achievements, Yadav said the country has 1,134 protected areas, 103 Ramsar sites, 57 Biodiversity Heritage Sites and 18 biosphere reserves, of which 13 are part of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Network.

He also highlighted the role of the International Big Cat Alliance, launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in promoting international cooperation for the conservation of the world's seven big-cat species and their habitats.

Initiatives such as Mission LiFE and the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, he said, have reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship and encouraged citizens to make biodiversity conservation a collective societal responsibility.

The minister also highlighted government initiatives aimed at restoring ecosystems and strengthening sustainable resource management, including the Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes (MISHTI), the Amrit Dharohar initiative for wetland conservation and the Soil Health Card Scheme for sustainable soil management and maintaining soil fertility.

Emphasising the importance of community participation, Yadav said India has aligned its legislation with the Convention on Biological Diversity and established village-level committees to promote decentralised access and benefit-sharing mechanisms.

These measures enable local communities to participate in and benefit from the sustainable use of biological resources, he said.

Reiterating India's commitment to multilateral cooperation, Yadav said the country would continue to work with all parties to advance the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in the spirit of "One Earth, One Family, One Future".