Pushing forward mountain biodiversity priorities at the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)

Background

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) is the principal scientific advisory body of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It provides evidence-based scientific and technical recommendations to the Conference of the Parties (COP) on issues related to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and implementation of the Kunming -Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). As a precursor to COP 26, SBSTTA does not negotiate legally binding decisions, but rather it shapes the scientific guidance and technical recommendations that form the basis for decisions adopted by the COP.

For the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), SBSTTA-28 presents a strategic opportunity to elevate the profile of the mountain biodiversity more prominently within the global biodiversity agenda. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is one of the world’s most important mountain systems, providing globally significant biodiversity, freshwater, ecosystem services and climate resilience. However, mountain ecosystems remain underrepresented in GBF implementation, monitoring frameworks, and global biodiversity assessments.

ICIMOD, a regional intergovernmental knowledge centre is uniquely positioned to bridge science and policy by providing robust mountain-specific evidence, supporting regional cooperation, strengthening national implementation, and demonstrating practical solutions for conserving biodiversity across transboundary mountain landscapes. Participation in SBSTTA-28 therefore reinforces ICIMOD’s role as a trusted science-policy partner while elevating the collective voice of mountain countries in the CBD process.

Objectives

ICIMOD participation aims to:

• Elevate mountain biodiversity in GBF implementation. Advocate for recognition of mountain ecosystems in the implementation, monitoring and review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), highlighting their importance for biodiversity, climate resilience, freshwater security and sustainable livelihoods. Support ICIMOD’s Regional Member Countries (RMCs) through regional data, technical capacity, and knowledge sharing to strengthen their engagement in the CBD process and GBF implementation.
• Position ICIMOD as the regional science-policy platform for mountain biodiversity. Provide scientific evidence from regional assessments or through other sources from the HKH region to inform CBD discussions, promote mountain-specific indicators, and support evidence-based implementation, monitoring and reporting of the GBF by RMCs.
• Strengthen partnerships and regional cooperation for GBF implementation. Strengthen collaboration with regional capacity building centres, the CBD Secretariat, scientific bodies and development partners to support RMCs in implementing GBF, advocate for transboundary conservation, regional knowledge exchange and resource mobilisation for mountain biodiversity. Leverage these partnerships to enhance technical support and South-South cooperation for RMCs in implementing the GBF.

ICIMOD agenda

• Global review of GBF implementation, stocktake and monitoring framework 

SBSTTA-28 will review the first Global Progress Report on implementation of the GBF, based on Parties’ Seventh National Reports (7NR), and consider updates to the GBF Monitoring Framework. This provides an important opportunity for ICIMOD to ensure that mountain biodiversity is adequately reflected in the global stocktake, implementation review and biodiversity monitoring.

• Monitoring framework 

ICIMOD aims to strengthen the implementation of the KM-GBF framework by advancing its monitoring framework and supporting Parties in its effective application. This provides ICIMOD with a strategic opportunity to promote the integration of mountain ecosystems into the global biodiversity agenda by contributing scientific evidence, regional data, and technical expertise to strengthen biodiversity monitoring, reporting, and capacity development across the HKH region.

• IPBES and Science-Policy Integration

SBSTTA-28 will review the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)related decisions including the spatial planning, providing an opportunity to strengthen the integration of mountain science into GBF implementation and global biodiversity assessments.

• Programme of Work on Protected areas and OECMs 

Protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) are central to achieving GBF Target 3. Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas. Mountain protected areas provide globally significant biodiversity and ecosystem services but require stronger recognition of ecological connectivity, regional cooperation, transboundary governance, and Indigenous Peoples and community stewardship.

• Mountain biodiversity  

Request the RMCs to revive the CBD Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity (PoWMB), The Programme of Work on Mountain Biological Diversity is an initiative established by the Convention on Biological Diversity to reduce biodiversity loss in fragile mountain ecosystems. It provides a comprehensive, targeted framework aimed at protecting mountain flora and fauna, mitigating climate impacts, and improving livelihoods in highland and lowland communities

Delegation

Sunita Chaudhary, Biodiversity Lead/Ecosystem Services Specialist, ICIMOD

Bisrantee Wagle, Research Associate, Global Engagement, ICIMOD