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COP17 | UN biodiversity talks enter critical phase as delegates clash over funding and indigenous rights
From L-R: CBD Deputy Executive Secretary Jihyun Lee; Christine Estrada, CBD Secretariat; and COP 17 President Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment, Armenia. PHOTO/ IISD/ENB – Mike Muzurakis.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
newsdesk@africaeconews.co.ke
As the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference entered its final stages, delegates made progress on biodiversity conservation, biosafety and access to genetic resources, but disagreements over funding, agricultural practices and Indigenous Peoples’ participation continued to complicate negotiations.
Working Group I considered issues under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), while Working Group II addressed the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Contact groups also convened to discuss risk assessment and management of living modified organisms, the financial mechanism, areas of further work under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and Article 8(j...
COP17 | Kenya’s biosafety body pledges stronger regulation at UN summit
National Biosafety Authority (NBA) Chairman David Wamatsi (far right), accompanied by Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Ann Karimi, meets African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) Chairman Prof. Aggrey Ambali (second from right) on the sidelines of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), held in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026. PHOTO/NBA.
By PATRICK MAYOYO
newsdesk@africaeconews.co.ke
Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA) has pledged to strengthen science-based regulation and international cooperation to protect biodiversity, safeguard public health and promote responsible scientific innovation across Africa.
NBA chairman David Wamatsi made the commitment during the opening session of the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17), taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026.
Mr Wamatsi said Kenya must play an active role in shaping international decision...