Governments urged to turn wildlife commitments into action at biodiversity COP17

As countries gather for COP17 in Armenia, IFAW calls for stronger wildlife protection, connected habitats, and support for the people safeguarding nature.

(Yerevan, Armenia, 19 October 2026) - As governments prepare to gather for the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP17) world leaders are being urged to put wildlife at the heart of climate action and nature recovery.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) will be joining governments in Yerevan, Armenia from 19 to 30 October for COP17. This year's meeting comes at a pivotal moment for global biodiversity efforts. Two years after governments recognised the contribution of wild animals to climate mitigation at COP16, countries now have an opportunity to turn that recognition into action.

"At the last biodiversity COP, governments took an important step by recognising that wild animals play a role in tackling climate change. Now we need to make sure that progress isn't lost as countries negotiate how to deliver on their biodiversity commitments," said Matt Collis, senior director of policy at IFAW.

"COP17 is an opportunity to move beyond recognition and ensure that protecting and restoring wildlife populations becomes part of the practical decisions governments make to strengthen ecosystems and address climate change."

A key priority for IFAW at COP17 is ensuring that decisions on biodiversity and climate change explicitly recognise the ecological functions of wild animals and include wildlife populations in ecosystem protection and restoration.

While governments acknowledged wildlife's role in climate mitigation at COP16 in Colombia, important language remains unresolved in this year's draft decisions. IFAW is urging countries to keep these provisions to ensure wildlife conservation is integrated into plans to tackle climate change and restore nature.

The stakes are significant. Healthy wildlife populations contribute to the functioning of forests, grasslands, oceans, and other ecosystems that capture and store carbon. From elephants dispersing seeds and maintaining healthy forests to whales supporting ocean nutrient cycles, wild animals help sustain the natural systems on which both people and the planet depend. Protecting individual animals and restoring their populations can therefore deliver benefits far beyond wildlife conservation alone.

Beyond the wildlife-climate connection, IFAW is advocating for progress on several other priorities:

• Making protected areas work for wildlife. Protecting nature requires more than designating areas on a map. IFAW is urging governments to strengthen ecological connectivity, particularly for migratory species, so animals can move safely between habitats and protected areas can function as effective conservation networks.
• Closing the ranger gap. Achieving the global commitment to protect and conserve 30% of land and sea by 2030 depends on the people safeguarding these places. IFAW is calling for greater recognition of rangers and the wider conservation workforce, including the skills, resources, and working conditions they need to deliver effective protection.
• Making international ocean agreements work together. Marine wildlife plays a critical role in healthy ocean ecosystems and natural carbon cycles. IFAW is advocating for closer cooperation between the Convention on Biological Diversity and the new High Seas Treaty, helping translate international commitments into coordinated marine conservation action.
• Safeguarding against unsustainable wildlife use. IFAW is calling for science-based, precautionary approaches to wildlife management that protect ecological integrity, animal welfare, and human health. This includes maintaining One Health principles and ensuring that wildlife use is not presumed to be sustainable simply because it is legal or economically beneficial.

Together, these priorities reflect the need for conservation approaches that protect individual animals, restore wildlife populations, and support the Indigenous Peoples and local communities whose knowledge, leadership, and stewardship are essential to protecting nature.

"We know what needs to happen next. Wildlife must be explicitly included in decisions on ecosystem protection and restoration, protected areas need to be connected so animals can move and thrive, and the people safeguarding those places need proper support," added Collis. "These aren't abstract ambitions. They're practical steps governments can take now to deliver on their biodiversity commitments, while strengthening the natural systems that help us address climate change."

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IFAW events at COP17

IFAW will participate in the following events during COP17, bringing together conservation experts, policymakers, and partners to explore practical solutions for biodiversity and climate action.

Protecting Ocean Life, Powering Climate Solutions

Tuesday, 20 October |10:30-11:45 | Ocean Pavilion

Exploring how marine wildlife, including whales, dugongs, and mesopelagic fish, supports natural carbon cycles and contributes to global climate and biodiversity goals.

Blue Speeds in Action: A Simple Solution for a Healthier Ocean

Tuesday, 20 October |12:00-12:30 | Ocean Pavilion

Highlighting how modest reductions in vessel speeds can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, whale strikes, and underwater noise, while improving shipping efficiency.

Delivering Nature Positive Climate Outcomes Through Wildlife Conservation and Restoration

Tuesday, 20 October |16:30-17:30 | Nature Positive Pavilion

Examining how protecting and restoring wildlife populations can enhance carbon storage, ecosystem resilience, and climate outcomes.

Wildlife as a Missing Climate Solution: From Scientific Consensus to Political Action

Wednesday, 21 October | 14:00-15:00 | IUCN Pavilion, Forum Room B

Building on the scientific consensus on wildlife and climate, this session will explore how evidence can translate into policy action, including a preview of a new declaration planned for UNFCCC COP31.

One Ocean, Multiple Agreements: Strengthening Synergies Between the New High Seas Treaty with CBD and Other Relevant Bodies

Saturday, 24 October | 16:00-17:30 | Ocean Pavilion

A High Seas Alliance and partner event exploring how the High Seas Treaty and other international agreements can work together to strengthen marine biodiversity protection and advance the global 30x30 target.

Closing the Implementation Gap: Recognising and Resourcing Non-State Rangers for 30x30

Wednesday, 28 October | 13:15-14:45 | Talin, Side-event Room 1

Presenting new evidence on the contributions of non-state rangers and the importance of recognising and supporting the wider conservation workforce in national biodiversity planning.

IFAW experts available for interviews

The following IFAW representatives will attend COP17 in Yerevan and are available for interviews on biodiversity negotiations, wildlife conservation, climate change, and related policy priorities. Please contact communications lead Stacey Hedman at [email protected].

• Matt Collis, Senior Director of Policy, IFAW
• Aurore Morin, Campaign Officer, Marine Conservation, IFAW
• Vivek Menon, IFAW Senior Advisor, Wildlife Trust of India, and Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission