High-level Reception - From Ambition to Action: Delivering on COP Commitments
On Monday, 13 April 2026, WCS EU co-hosted a high-level reception with The Nature Conservancy in Europe and the Belgian Biodiversity Platform to discuss the transition from global ambition to concrete implementation ahead of three major Rio Convention COPs this year: CBD COP17, Climate COP31, and UNCCD COP17.
More than three decades have passed since the Rio Earth Summit (1992) set the foundation for today’s global environmental agenda through the adoption of the CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD. These three conventions continue to shape international cooperation on biodiversity, climate change, and land use, and their relevance has only grown as environmental pressures intensify. The adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework at CBD COP15 marked a major step forward in halting and reversing the decline of Biodiversity. The framework has set a clear direction; the challenge now is to ensure these goals are met.
With all three Conventions having their Conference of the Parties this year, the year ahead will be pivotal. Governments face mounting expectations to demonstrate that commitments made in recent years are being translated into real progress on the ground. Europe has positioned itself as a leader through the European Green Deal, the EU Biodiversity Strategy, and the Nature Restoration Regulation.
Held at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, the event brought together senior representatives from EU institutions, Member States, COP Presidencies, diplomatic missions, civil society organisations, and the scientific community to reinforce momentum for multilateral action on the three Conventions. The interventions highlighted the urgency of advancing the implementation of the targets set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework and underscored Europe’s role as a reliable partner in global environmental governance.
Dr Michel Van Camp welcomes particpants at the COPs event in Brussels.
Check out the event highlights from the speakers below.
Dr Michel Van Camp, Director-General of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science, welcomed attendees to the Museum. He opened with a reminder that 33 years ago, Rio de Janeiro gave birth to the three conventions we know today — the CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD — each rooted in scientific evidence, and that it is precisely this legacy of evidence-based ambition that continues to bring us together. He described the work of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, harnessing science and environmental observation and transforming it into the indicators and patterns that help policymakers understand where we stand and how far we still have to go. This commitment to bridging science and policy, he noted, is further reflected in the Institute's role hosting the Belgian Biodiversity Platform and its involvement in the Belgian Climate Centre and the Belgian Centre for Climate Risk Assessment, interconnected efforts that embody the understanding that biodiversity and climate are ultimately one story. He concluded by welcoming representatives from Armenia, Mongolia, Türkiye, and the European Union, expressing hope that the dialogue underway would contribute to a unified call to action reaching every party still drafting its National Report.
Dr Janice Weatherley-Singh, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society EU Office, moderated the discussion and, on behalf of WCS EU, extended thanks to the Museum for hosting and to the co-organisers for their support. She underscored that nature sits at the heart of the three Rio conventions, with ecological integrity recognised as a foundational principle across all three — noting that protecting and enhancing ecological integrity globally would go a long way toward delivering not only their objectives, but a wide range of broader environmental benefits. She explained that the event had been organised to foster collaboration and open dialogue, and expressed how privileged WCS EU felt to be joined by speakers from all three countries hosting upcoming COPs, as well as the European Commission, to share their perspectives and hopes for the conferences ahead.
Marianne Kleiberg, Regional Managing Director of The Nature Conservancy - Europe, highlighted that, amid growing global uncertainty, the credibility of multilateralism now hinges on delivering real-world results rather than new commitments. Biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation are interconnected challenges that demand coherent, coordinated implementation across the three Rio Conventions. With all COPs convening in 2026, there is a rare opportunity to move decisively from ambition to action. Leadership, TNC stresses, will ultimately be judged by restored ecosystems, reduced risks, and tangible benefits for people and nature. Non-state actors, like TNC and the organizing partners are all joining in efforts implementing COP decisions on the ground for a future where nature and people strive.
Nomindari Enkhtur, CEO of Mongolian Nature’s Legacy Foundation, underscored that Mongolia is preparing to host the upcoming UNCCD COP at a pivotal moment, aiming to showcase progress while addressing remaining policy and implementation gaps. Nomindari emphasizes that desertification and land degradation must be tackled through the joint and complementary implementation of all three Rio Conventions. Re-energizing global commitment now requires moving from ambition to concrete action for present and future generations. In this context, Mongolia calls for innovative and diversified financing mechanisms and is ready to lead efforts to mobilize new resources despite challenging geopolitical realities.
Henrik Yeritsyan, Counsellor at the Mission of the Republic of Armenia to the EU, shared that Armenia envisions CBD COP17 in Yerevan as a decisive turning point from commitments to implementation, aiming for measurable results aligned with the Global Biodiversity Framework. Recognizing biodiversity as central to human well-being and development, together with the other Rio Conventions, Armenia is committed to making COP17 a key milestone toward 2030. At the halfway point of GBF implementation, the COP will focus on assessing global progress, supported by a comprehensive global stock take based on Parties’ timely reports. As host and incoming Presidency, Armenia is providing an inclusive and well-prepared framework, calling on all Parties and stakeholders to contribute to a successful COP and the shared goal of halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
Mehmet Bulut, Deputy Permanent Delegate of the Permanent Delegation of Türkiye to the EU, underscored that Türkiye's overarching objective is to make COP31 an "implementation COP," emphasising that multilateral cooperation can deliver meaningful results even under pressure. He described Türkiye's approach as one of constructive dialogue aimed at reaching balanced and ambitious outcomes, and highlighted that its cooperation with Australia in the lead-up to COP31 would serve as a precedent for tackling global challenges. Among the thematic priorities he outlined were the clean energy transition, zero waste, urban climate resilience, the needs of vulnerable regions — including the Mediterranean, the Pacific, and Africa — as well as food security, oceans and seas, and green industrialisation.
Hans Stielstra, Advisor on International Environmental Negotiations at DG ENV, European Commission, reiterated that the EU reaffirms that all three Rio Conventions are equally vital to sustainable development and calls on all Parties to intensify implementation efforts. A long-standing political and financial supporter of the Conventions, the EU is advancing implementation through the European Green Deal while supporting partner countries globally. With major milestones having already been achieved under the Climate and Biodiversity Conventions, we are still far from the overarching goals, thus the focus must now shift decisively to coordinated, harmonised implementation across all three frameworks. Looking ahead to CBD COP17 in Armenia, the EU stresses the importance of timely national reporting to enable a robust global stocktake and ensure a meaningful, forward-looking Conference.
Particpants at the COPs event in Brussels.