From 27 July to 1 August 2026, the 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28) took place in Nairobi, Kenya. Held back-to-back with the 7th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-7), from 4-12 August 2026, SBSTTA-28 is part of a group of events preceding the UN CBD COP17 in October, when Parties will explore the global review of progress in the implementation of the KMGBF.

For a week, Parties gathered together to review scientific evidence, identify implementation challenges and negotiate recommendations on the following topics:

Global Report on collective progress in the implementation of the KMGBF: According to Parties, steps towards achieving the KMGBF goals were taken; however, this process is happening at an insufficient pace. Parties also highlighted the importance of continued resource mobilisation and capacity-building to accelerate implementation, alongside recognising progress already achieved.

Planning, Monitoring, Reporting and Review of implementation: The monitoring framework of the KMGBF, including the headline indicators, part of national reporting under the UN CBD, should be further operationalised, as recommended by SBSTTA. Discussions focused on further operationalising the monitoring framework and strengthening the availability of methodologies and indicators to effectively track progress towards the KMGBF targets. 

Marine and coastal biodiversity: SBSTTA recommends strengthening the scientific and technical efforts in support of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), as these efforts provide governments and other stakeholders with knowledge needed to inform conservation and sustainable management of these areas. The discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening synergies between EBSA processes and the BBNJ Agreement, with some elements to be further considered towards COP17.  

Synthetic biology: A thematic action plan, aiming to address inequities in the participation of developing countries in synthetic biology by strengthening capacity-building, access to and transfer of technology and knowledge-sharing, is in progress.

Sustainable wildlife management: The global voluntary guidance on sustainable wildlife management, which aims to provide Parties with a comprehensive framework for conserving and sustainably using wild species, was discussed, with an emphasis on the importance of collaboration among different actors. 

Programme of work on protected areas (PoWPA): SBSTTA-28 provided an input for the update of the PoWPA, the programme which guides the planning and management of protected areas. Moreover, the role of partnerships, including with indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth in these processes was highlighted. Discussions also considered the role of ecological connectivity in strengthening the effectiveness of protected area systems and the importance of inclusive approaches involving Indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth.  

Matters related to IPBES: During this meeting, IPBES received recommendations on its work programme, with an emphasis on its Business and Biodiversity Assessment and its possible contributions to the implementation of the KMGBF. The discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening the science-policy interface and ensuring that IPBES assessments can effectively inform biodiversity policies and action. 

In that context, the CO-OP4CBD technical briefs were presented and disseminated in connection with this global biodiversity meeting. Based on the main topics of the event’s agenda, these documents brought scientific knowledge and policy perspectives into the negotiations, supporting knowledge exchange around SBSTTA-28 discussions.

Read more about SBSTTA-28 here.