Delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework in Practice: An EU-Southern Africa Dialogue on Human-Centered Conservation, Sustainable Use and Inclusive Biodiversity Governance – 13 October 2026, European Parliament, Brussels

As the international community approaches the halfway point towards implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the focus is increasingly shifting from negotiating global commitments to demonstrating how they can be delivered in practice. 

The EU plays a central role in this transition. Through its environmental legislation, international development cooperation, biodiversity finance and strategic partnerships, the EU is helping shape biodiversity policy and implementation both within Europe and globally. At the same time, Southern Africa is home to some of the world’s most important biodiversity and has developed internationally recognised approaches to natural resource management, sustainable use and human-centered conservation that offer valuable practical experience in implementing the GBF.

This dialogue seeks to address that gap by bringing together Members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials, Southern African governments, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, conservation practitioners and experts for a constructive exchange ahead of CBD COP17. The event will explore how stronger Africa-EU partnerships, evidence-based policymaking and greater inclusion of on-the-ground experience can support more effective implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, with particular focus on human-centred conservation sustainable use and inclusive biodiversity governance.

Find out more and register here.