Canada advances global action for nature at the 17th United Nations Biodiversity Conference

YEREVAN, Armenia, Nov. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, and the Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), concluded Canada's participation in the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), held from October 19 to 30, 2026, in Yerevan, Armenia. At COP17, Canada worked with international partners to accelerate implementation of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and support global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. Canada's delegation brought together Indigenous representatives, civil society, the private sector, youth, and provincial and territorial governments, reflecting a whole-of-society approach to nature conservation.

Throughout the conference, Canada championed practical solutions to conserve biodiversity, advance Indigenous-led conservation, strengthen accountability for global commitments, and mobilize financing for nature. As Head of Delegation, Minister Dabrusin engaged with international and domestic stakeholders and partners through strategic bilateral meetings, high-level roundtable discussions, and whole-of-society events aimed at strengthening global cooperation on nature protection. Secretary of State (Nature) Provost led engagement with partners and stakeholders on innovative nature financing and supported the COP17 Presidency in advancing negotiations related to the global review of collective progress under the Framework.

Canada also highlighted the critical role of healthy oceans in supporting biodiversity, resilient communities, and sustainable economies. During a COP17 oceans event hosted by the World Resources Institute and the Secretariat for Our Ocean Conference, Minister Dabrusin joined international leaders to discuss the importance of conserving marine habitats and supporting sustainable fisheries to sustain healthy oceans and build climate-resilient communities and economies for generations to come. Canada will host the 12th Our Ocean Conference in May 2027, providing a further opportunity to strengthen international cooperation to protect shared oceans.

A key focus of Canada's participation was mobilizing greater investment for nature. Canada highlighted this work through a Canadian-led official side event, High-Level Panel on Innovative Nature Finance: Planting the Seeds for a Resilient and Prosperous Future for All, which brought together participants to discuss innovative approaches to nature finance in Canada and globally, with Secretary of State (Nature) Provost guiding the discussion. Established in August 2026, Canada's Expert Taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing demonstrated Canada's commitment to unlocking new sources of investment and better integrating the value of nature into economic decision-making.

Indigenous leadership was another central theme of Canada's participation at COP17. During a second Canadian-led official side event, Land, Legacy, and Leadership: Indigenous-Led Conservation in Canada, representatives from the landmark Northwest Territories: Our Land for the Future Agreement highlighted the progress of this Project Finance for Permanence initiative, as well as the critical role of Indigenous leadership in protecting nature. Signed in 2024, the Agreement has a goal of protecting up to 380,000 square kilometres of lands and inland waters in the Northwest Territories, or 2% of Canada. Indigenous representatives shared how their experiences are helping to advance conservation goals across Canada and globally, while Secretary of State (Nature) Provost and other panelists underscored the importance of long-term financing and Indigenous-led conservation.

Action at COP17 strengthened international partnerships in support of biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Canada joined several global coalitions that align with the priorities outlined in A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature, including the Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species (CARES); Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity; and the Yerevan Global Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) Action Hub. Canada continues to conserve nature through recognized terrestrial and marine other effective area-based conservation measures, helping to advance their application around the world.

At COP17, Canada's message was clear: Indigenous-led conservation and sustainable use of nature are essential to our shared prosperity and long-term resilience. The rights of Indigenous peoples, including their fundamental right to self-determination, should not be negotiable. Throughout negotiations on the Convention's new body on Indigenous engagement, Canada strongly advocated for arrangements that support the meaningful and effective participation of Indigenous peoples in international decisions on nature. While Parties ultimately reached an outcome that allows the new body to begin its important work, Canada remained steadfast in its commitment to the full recognition, representation, and participation of Indigenous peoples and will continue to advocate for these principles going forward.

Canada will continue to work with partners to advance implementation, drive innovative solutions, and deliver results toward halting and reversing biodiversity loss while ensuring that Indigenous-led conservation remains at the heart of global efforts to protect biodiversity.

Quotes

"Protecting nature and biodiversity is a global responsibility that no country can achieve alone. At COP17, Canada worked with partners from around the world to strengthen implementation of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework and accelerate action toward our shared 2030 goals. Through international cooperation, Indigenous leadership, innovative solutions, and sustained action, we can help halt and reverse biodiversity loss while building a more resilient, prosperous future for people and nature alike."
– The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

"Protecting nature requires more than ambition. It requires partnership, innovation, and investment. At COP17, Canada worked with international partners, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders across sectors to advance practical solutions on nature finance, natural capital accounting, and biodiversity conservation. By working together and learning from one another, countries can accelerate action, unlock investment, and advance shared biodiversity goals. The momentum built in Yerevan will help turn global commitments into action, supporting healthy communities, resilient economies, and a sustainable future for generations to come."
– The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature)

Quick facts

• Canada's delegation supported the Armenian COP17 Presidency and its approach to strengthen implementation of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework toward meeting the Framework's goals and targets. At COP17, Parties adopted the Sevan Guidelines, the rules of operation for the Convention on Biological Diversity's new permanent subsidiary body on Article 8(j). The body supports the participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities in shaping global international biodiversity policy and action.
• On March 31, 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the federal government's $3.8 billion investment in nature through A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature. The Strategy is based on three pillars for action to help align nature protection and economic growth: Protecting Nature in Canada, Building Canada Well, and Valuing Nature and Mobilizing Capital.
• Canada has a vast amount of natural capital, including 24% of the world's boreal forest, 37% of lakes, 25% of wetlands, and approximately 80,000 species. Protecting these natural assets is both a responsibility and an opportunity to strengthen Canada's economic resilience and competitiveness.
• The Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species (CARES) supports implementation of Target 4 of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt species extinctions and advance species recovery.
• The Friends of Credits for Nature and Biodiversity coalition promotes international policy dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation on nature credits.
• The Yerevan Global Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECM) Action Hub, a COP17 Presidency flagship initiative, provides high-level leadership and advocacy for the use of OECMs.

Associated links

• A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
• Canada to Advance Global Nature Conservation and Climate Action at Upcoming United Nations Conferences
• Canada Launches New Expert Taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing

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SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Contacts: Amy Falkner, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, 873-355-9725, [email protected]; Marie-France Proulx, Director of Communications, Office of the Secretary of State (Nature), [email protected]; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free), [email protected]