The Caribbean and Latin America Call for Stronger Biodiversity Action and Financing at COP17 Opening in Armenia

The Group of Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC), which includes Member States of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), has called for stronger international cooperation, increased biodiversity financing and accelerated action to meet global biodiversity targets during the opening plenary of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which officially commenced on October 19, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia.

The regional statement was delivered by Gilliam Guthrie of Jamaica , on behalf of GRULAC, following consultations among member countries and the finalisation of the joint statement on Sunday, 18 October 2026.

In its address, GRULAC reaffirmed the region's commitment to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The Group highlighted the extraordinary biodiversity and cultural heritage of Latin America and the Caribbean, while underscoring the vulnerability of many countries, particularly Small Island Developing States (SIDS), to environmental and economic challenges.

COP17 represents an important opportunity for countries to assess progress in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which sets out 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, which is critical to the lives and livelihoods of people in the region.

GRULAC expressed concern that the international community remains off track in achieving these targets, citing persistent challenges related to financing, technical capacity, policy coordination and access to reliable biodiversity data. The Group stressed that ambitious global commitments must be supported by adequate, predictable and accessible financial resources, alongside capacity-building, A central message of the statement was the urgent need to close the global biodiversity financing gap, particularly for developing countries.

GRULAC raised concerns about limited access to funding under the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), noting that many countries in the region have yet to receive disbursements. The Group called for increased resources and simplified procedures to enable countries to access financing more effectively.

The statement also highlighted the growing challenges associated with declining official development assistance, increasing debt burdens and limited fiscal space, which constrain the ability of developing countries to meet their biodiversity commitments.

These concerns are particularly relevant to OECS Member States, where biodiversity supports livelihoods, tourism, fisheries, food security and climate resilience.

GRULAC further emphasised the critical role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, women, youth and other stakeholders in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The Group called for inclusive participation in international biodiversity decision-making and highlighted the importance of adequate financial support to enable developing countries to participate effectively in negotiations and related meetings.

As COP17 deliberations continue, the OECS Member States, alongside their GRULAC partners, have an opportunity to contribute to discussions on biodiversity financing, implementation support and international cooperation.

GRULAC concluded its statement with a call for countries to move beyond commitments and deliver meaningful results: "Let COP17 be remembered not only for the commitments we reaffirm, but for the collective action we advance."

Download the Full GRULAC Opening Statement delivered during the COP17 opening plenary.