Conference events

The gathering will bring together leaders from government, science, industry, civil society and Major Groups to drive forward innovative and inclusive bioeconomy solutions that put sustainable forest management at the core. The Summit provides a strategic platform to:

• assess the current state of sustainable forest-based bioeconomy approaches and related trade-offs;
• define priorities to integrate science into policy, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and mobilise finance, research and innovation;
• identify concrete actions and partnerships—engaging women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and the private sector—leading to clear messages and recommendations for UNFF and FAO forums.

Thematic focus

• From policy to practice: scaling up sustainable approaches
• Financing the future: investment and climate-resilient bioeconomy R&D
• From forest to market: securing sustainable supply for growing demand
• Forest potentials beyond wood, including non-wood products and agrifood systems
• Building the future: innovative wood solutions, carbon neutrality and R&D
• Wood, health and sound
• Diversity and rights, including gender equality and Indigenous knowledge
• Cooperation to upscale bioeconomy; circularity in value chains; communication and public engagement
  (A consolidated background paper will be shared in advance.)

The conference will advance international cooperation on transitioning away from fossil fuel extraction — reinforcing the objectives of the Paris Agreement and aligning with the recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice, which confirmed that States have a legal obligation to protect the climate, including by addressing fossil fuel production, licensing and subsidies.

The First International Conference on the Just Transition Away from Fossil Fuels will serve as a strategic space for dialogue among a broad range of stakeholders — including government representatives, experts, rural and Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant communities, civil society, climate advocates, industry leaders, and academia — to explore viable, fair, and equitable pathways for transitioning to sustainable, diversified, and accessible energy. Designed to foster robust and structural transformations, the summit aims to facilitate a planned, just, and sustainable phase-out of fossil fuels and address the need for a structural shift in our socioeconomic model.

The idea of a global conference builds upon successful examples of previous diplomatic summits that have led to increased international cooperation to address major global threats including the Ottawa Conference to address land mines; the Oslo Conference on cluster munitions and the discussions on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, for which a series of three conferences, known as the Humanitarian Initiative, shifted the framing of nuclear weapons from one of security to a humanitarian discourse, leading to successful resolution within the UN General Assembly.

This landmark UN wildlife conservation meeting will bring together governments, scientists, conservationists, indigenous peoples and local communities, environmental leaders, and civil society from around the world to tackle the urgent conservation challenges faced by the thousands of species of wild animals that cross international borders.

During the week-long negotiations, CMS COP15 is expected to consider:

• High-Level Political Commitments & Declarations – Adoption of Ministerial Declarations to reaffirm global commitments to migratory species conservation.

• Strengthening Global and Coordinated Conservation for Migratory Species – Reviewing and approving proposals from CMS Parties to add species at risk to the CMS Appendices.

• Implementing Targeted Conservation Actions – Advancing new concerted actions to address the most pressing threats to migratory species.

• Combating Illegal Take and Addressing Overexploitation of Species and their Habitats – Strengthening measures to prevent poaching, illegal killing and trade, bycatch and habitat destruction.

• Enhancing Ecological Connectivity – Taking decisive steps to safeguard vital migratory corridors and habitats.

• Driving the Samarkand Strategic Plan (2024–2032) Forward – Evaluating progress and setting the course for the next decade of action.

• Scaling Up Species-Specific Conservation – Expanding key initiatives, including the CMS Jaguar Initiative, to protect iconic and at-risk species.

• Addressing Global Challenges Impacting Migratory Species – Tackling climate change, habitat loss, wildlife health threats, and the impacts of pollution and renewable energy infrastructure.

• Fostering Global Collaboration – Strengthening synergies with other multilateral environmental agreements such as CITES, CBD, Ramsar and integrating conservation with sustainable livelihoods.

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development. It was established in Panama City, on 21 April 2012 by 94 Governments.  It is not a United Nations body.  However, at the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorization of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES.  See here for more information on the history of IPBES.

The twelfth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (#IPBES12) will be hosted by the Government of the United Kingdom  at the Manchester Central Convention Complex in Manchester, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, from 3 to 8 February 2026 (Click to view on Google Maps).

The session will open on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, at 9.30 a.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) (UTC+00:00) and close on Sunday, 8 February 2026, at 6 p.m. Daily sessions will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Additional meetings may take place in contact groups and in regional groupings.

Regional consultations and a Stakeholder Day are planned to be organized on Monday, 2 February 2026. A daily schedule will be made available on https://www.ipbes.net/events/ipbes-12/schedule  and the Event App closer to the event for specific time and room allocation information.

Armenia has been elected as the host of the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference. “Taking action for nature”—the slogan of the conference— conveys Armenia’s aspirations for an action-oriented UN Biodiversity Conference. In Yerevan, the Parties to the CBD will undertake the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the KMGBF. The global review is expected to guide accelerated implementation.

“Armenia’s vision for COP17 is a beautiful one. It aims to inspire us all to see that transformation is possible, that nature is worth protecting, that implementation is happening and that we all have an important and active role to play,” said Astrid Schomaker, the Executive Secretary of the CBD, at the unveiling event.

The 64th sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Advice (SBSTA) are scheduled to take place in June 2026.

The Government of Türkiye will host the thirty-first session of the Conference of the Parties, the twenty-first session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol and the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement from Monday, 9 November, to Friday, 20 November 2026.

Climate Week NYC returns: September 20–27, 2026

Every year, the Climate Group bring together heads of state, global business leaders, philanthropic leaders, and civil society to accelerate climate action at scale.

2025 marked the biggest year yet: More than 100,000 participants, 5,500 leaders from business and government and civil society on-site, and 1,000+ events tackling the toughest questions in energy, industry, finance, food, transport, and nature.

London will once again become a hub for bold ideas, cross-sector collaboration and real-world climate solutions.

Now heading into its eighth edition, London Climate Action Week continues to be a key moment to connect, influence and drive progress, both locally and globally.

You’re leading change in an unpredictable political, social and economic environment. At GreenBiz, you’ll connect with peers and trailblazers and master the skills essential to face your company’s unique challenges. Join the community, including the most influential voices in sustainability, and learn what’s next in decarbonization, disclosure, nature, supply chains, strategic communications, change management and more at GreenBiz.

The 2026 North America Climate Summit in New York will unite market participants to drive carbon innovation and strengthen regional collaboration.

Programme COMING SOON!

The 2026 Asia Climate Summit in Hong Kong will bring together policymakers, investors, and market experts to shape Asia’s growing role in global carbon markets.