Urban Nature Program: CBD COP17 - Key Outcomes and Implications for Cities
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability is a global network of more than 2,500 local and regional governments across over 125 countries, working to advance sustainable, resilient, equitable, and nature-positive urban development. A long-standing partner of the Global Platform for Sustainable Cities (GPSC), ICLEI has actively contributed to the GEF-6, GEF-7, and GEF-8 Sustainable Cities programs through technical expertise, capacity building, workshops, publications, and peer-to-peer learning. With more than two decades of experience in urban biodiversity, ICLEI supports cities in integrating nature into urban planning and development through its global Cities Biodiversity Center, the CitiesWithNature initiative, and its close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
As host of the Urban Nature Network from October to December 2026, ICLEI brings its expertise and active engagement in global biodiversity and climate processes to support knowledge exchange among cities. This hosting period coincides with two major international conferences, CBD COP17 and UNFCCC COP31, providing an opportunity to share key discussions, outcomes, and perspectives on the role of local and regional governments in advancing urban biodiversity, nature-based solutions, and climate resilience. Through dedicated webinars and related knowledge resources, ICLEI connects global policy developments with practical local action, helping cities explore opportunities to implement international biodiversity and climate commitments towards 2030.
Following the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), this webinar explores the key discussions and outcomes of the conference and their implications for cities and local governments. Drawing on more than two decades of collaboration with the CBD Secretariat, ICLEI shares insights into the evolving role of local and subnational governments in the global biodiversity agenda, including opportunities to strengthen their contributions to international biodiversity goals.
Through its global Cities Biodiversity Center, the CitiesWithNature initiative, and its engagement in the Biodiversity Summits for Cities and Subnational Governments, ICLEI has supported cities in mainstreaming biodiversity into urban planning, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and advancing nature-positive development. The session will explore how global biodiversity commitments can translate into practical local action, including approaches to capacity building, measuring progress, and exchanging experiences among cities towards 2030.
Time (ET) | Item | Speaker |
08:30 | Opening Remarks | GPSC, World Bank |
08:35 | CBD COP17: Key Outcomes and Implications for Cities | Ingrid Coetzee, Director: Biodiversity, Nature & Health, ICLEI Africa and Global Cities Biodiversity Center |
08:45 | City Perspectives: Reflections on COP17 and the Way Forward Insights from cities that participated in COP17, alongside perspectives from other cities on the outcomes, implications, and opportunities for local action. | City Representatives |
09:10 | Interactive Discussion and Q&A with participants | Moderated by ICLEI Team |
09:28 | Next Steps and Announcement of the Next Webinar | GPSC Team |
