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21 October 2026
Last update:26 October 2026
Beyond commitment: UNESCO-designated sites provide concrete solutions
Under the theme “Taking action for nature,” COP17 marks the first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which was adopted in 2022 with four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
In this context, UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany spoke at the Leaders’ Summit organized by Armenia ahead of COP17, highlighting the potential contribution to the Framework by UNESCO-designated sites as places that demonstrate that tangible solutions exist. Bucking the trend of global biodiversity declines, wildlife within these sites remains stable, thanks to the commitment of the nearly 900 million people living in them. Mr. El-Enany called for the scaling up of this success by using UNESCO-designated sites to implement national biodiversity strategies, while leveraging education, science, and indigenous and local knowledge.
Our global network of over 2,300 UNESCO-designated sites shows that conservation works when people are at its heart.
We must build on these successes, empower local communities and Indigenous Peoples, and turn our shared commitments into concrete action.
Khaled El-Enany, Director-General of UNESCO
UNESCO initiatives at COP17
At this year’s COP, UNESCO brings its scientific, educational expertise and global network of designated sites to advance biodiversity conservation, open science, Indigenous and local knowledge, the role of culture in conservation, education for sustainability, and transboundary cooperation for peace with nature. Additionally, UNESCO co-convenes COP17’s Nature and Culture Summit and Science Forum (24-25 October) and Education Day (27 October) alongside the Armenian Presidency, the Convention Secretariat and other partners.
UNESCO brings to this COP a concrete global network of sites and a range of programs spanning education, communication, nature conservation, and social and human development […] we can demonstrate that it is possible to turn commitment into action.
Antonio De Sousa AbreuDirector of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences and Secretary of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme at UNESCO
Ahead of COP17, UNESCO published People and Nature in UNESCO-Designated Sites, the first joint assessment of World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves, and Global Geoparks. These sites are home to one in ten people on Earth and more than 60% of mapped species. Yet, without more decisive action, more than one in four could reach critical tipping points by 2050.
The UNESCO Guardians of the Biosphere public exhibition, on display in Yerevan’s Charles Aznavour Square throughout COP17, brings this reality closer to the people through the stories of those working in these sites, inviting everyone to join this necessary change.
More information
COP17 – Biodiversity
Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB)
UNESCO designates 14 new biosphere reserves on World Environment Day
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- SDG: SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
- SDG: SDG 15 – Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
- SDG: SDG 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
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This article is related to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 13 – Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
SDG 15 – Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
SDG 17 – Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
