SBSTTA-28 Meeting on Global Biodiversity Policy and Science

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The 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28) concluded on August 1, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The SBSTTA-28 is an intergovernmental scientific advisory group set up under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
It brings government experts, scientific delegates, and technical negotiators together to assess biodiversity trends and advise the Conference of the Parties.
The scientific body derives its formal statutory backing from Article 25 of the CBD agreement text.
The CBD Secretariat organizes these high-level sessions in close coordination with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
The main aim is giving COP17 sound scientific guidance to help countries achieve the 23 global targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by 2030.

It carries out detailed global assessments of ecosystems and species by drawing on research from bodies like IPBES.
It reviews national conservation actions to see how effectively member countries fulfill their international treaty obligations.
It evaluates cutting-edge biological tools such as synthetic biology, gene editing, and gene drives to balance ecological benefits against risks.
It creates updated technical frameworks for protected areas, wildlife preservation, and coastal management programs.
It answers specific technical queries raised by the Conference of the Parties to lay the groundwork for binding global agreements.

The meeting evaluated world progress under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, identifying critical gaps in financial aid and implementation.
It advanced global regulations on synthetic biology while promoting fair technology sharing and capability building across nations.