Youth and Women’s Engagement at the Core of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COP Processes

On April 22–23, within the framework of the CO-OP4CBD program, a two-day training workshop was held in Paris for representatives of civil society organizations. The aim was to strengthen civil society engagement in the processes of the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Special attention was given to the inclusion of youth organizations, groups working on the rights of traditional knowledge holders, and women’s organizations. The training served as an important step toward ensuring meaningful civil society participation in the upcoming COP17, which will take place in Armenia this autumn.

Speakers provided foundational knowledge about the processes and mechanisms under the Convention. Participants shared their experiences and discussed the effectiveness of various methods they have used to engage in decision-making. Through role-playing exercises, they practiced newly acquired skills, gaining valuable experience in preparation for the actual COP.

At COP17, it is critically important to incorporate local and regional perspectives on biodiversity into international decision-making processes. Various stakeholders—especially women, youth, and holders of traditional knowledge—play a key role in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Representatives of the “Public Awareness and Monitoring Center” NGO also participated in the training, sharing their knowledge and experience with partners.

The training was organized by the National Museum of Natural History of France, with the support of the HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research.