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Workshops for Biodiversity at COP17 in Yerevan
We will participate in the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, from October 18 to 30, 2026. This global conference will bring together governments, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, businesses, researchers, and other key stakeholders committed to biodiversity.
On this page:
Our Priorities
We will be present to participate in the discussions, make them accessible to a broader audience, and ensure that stakeholders in Quebec benefit from them, particularly through the publication of analytical articles. We will focus specifically on the following agenda items:
12. Matters relating to support mechanisms for the implementation and awareness of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
14. Mainstreaming biodiversity and engagement with subnational governments
OUR interventions
We will be there to highlight, in person, several of our initiatives related to our mission of promoting better integration of biodiversity into decision-making in Quebec, including:
our initiatives to build capacity and integrate biodiversity into organizations, such as our report Toward a Quebec Economy in Harmony with Nature
our efforts in formal and informal education, including our participation in the Nature-Études Program and the Biodiversity Mural;
our initiatives to engage society, such as the large-scale youth consultation on biodiversity conducted in collaboration with GYBN Québec, and the Dialogues for Biodiversity.
Our events in Yerevan:
Format: Presentation
Date : 20 october 2026, 14:00 – 14:45
Location : Business & Biodiversity Hub, multistakeholder action area (Zone bleue)
Details
We will present the report *Toward a Quebec Economy in Harmony with Nature*, which proposes a roadmap to accelerate the integration of biodiversity into Quebec’s economy, as well as several initiatives that contribute to its implementation. The session will bring together Quebec stakeholders working on various levers of economic transformation and will showcase concrete examples in the areas of business practices, sustainable finance, capacity building, public policy, and standards.
Speakers:
David Roy, Ateliers pour la biodiversité (APLB) and the Canadian Parallel Committee for ISO/TC 331 Biodiversity
Émilie Le Beuze, Finance Montréal
Julie Lafortune, Center for Applied Research on Biodiversity and Ecosystems (CRABE)
Martin Thiboutot, Quebec Business Council on the Environment (CPEQ) and Quebec Action Fund for Sustainable Development (FAQDD)
Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks (MELCCFP)
The session will highlight lessons learned from the Quebec experience and approaches that could be adapted to other subnational contexts.
Our participation in COP17 to present the project “Toward a Quebec Economy in Harmony with Nature” is funded as part of the March 2023 budget measure aimed at implementing the Nature Plan 2030.
Format: Workshop
Date : 23 october, 10:00- 11:30
Location : Workshop Room 5 (Green Zone)
Détails
How does biodiversity relate to business decisions? In what ways do economic activities depend on nature and impact it, and what risks and opportunities may arise from these relationships? This interactive workshop explores the key interactions between businesses and biodiversity. Through collaborative exercises, participants will discover how businesses depend on ecosystem services, how their activities can impact biodiversity, and how these dependencies and impacts can translate into risks and opportunities. The workshop will also address how biodiversity considerations can be integrated into corporate strategies and decision-making processes, as well as actions that can contribute to the transition toward an economy in harmony with nature. The workshop is primarily aimed at professionals and stakeholders in the business community, but it is open to anyone interested in better understanding the links between business and biodiversity. No prior knowledge of biodiversity is required.
Format: Reception
Date : 23 october, 19h30
On invite only : info@ateliersbiodiversitequebec.org
Understanding and Taking Action for Biodiversity - The “Biodiversity Collage” Collaborative Workshop
Format: Workshop
Date : 24 october, 16:00 à 17:30
Location: Workshop Room 1 (Green Zone)
Details
How can we understand the decline in biodiversity, and what can we do to address it? Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, but ecosystems and species are declining at an unprecedented rate. What is causing this crisis, and how are human activities linked to the changes we are observing in nature? The Biodiversity Collage is an interactive, science-based workshop inspired by the work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). In small groups, participants explore the connections between ecosystems, human activities, the direct drivers of biodiversity loss, and their impacts on people and society. Through discussion, collaboration, and a systems thinking approach, participants develop a shared understanding of the biodiversity crisis and identify levers that can drive change. No prior knowledge of biodiversity is required.
Format: Presentations and panel
Date : 26 october, 9h30-10h45
Location: Hub for Subnational Governments and Cities, Action Zone, Blue Zone
Details
At this event, which brings together stakeholders from Quebec’s business community, we will discuss the integration of biodiversity into sector-specific practices. Through presentations and a panel discussion, this session will facilitate a dialogue on the challenges, opportunities, and synergies encountered. It will highlight projects led by participating organizations and opportunities for collaboration across sectors.
With:
David Roy (animation et modération), directeur général, Ateliers pour la biodiversité
Magali Delomier, Directrice générale adjointe, UPA
Olivier Dulude, Vice-président, concertation et relations gouvernementales, Conseil patronal de l'environnement du Québec (CPEQ) et Martin Thiboutot, avocat chez Delegatus et corédacteur du guide du CPEQ sur la biodiversité
Sabrina St-Onge, Chargée de projet, Association des Grands Propriétaires Forestiers du Québec
Émilie Le Beuze, Conseillère principale, Mobilisation finance durable et biodiversité, Finance Montréal
Format: Presentation
Date : 26 october, 18h35 - 19h10
Location: Hub for Subnational Governments and Cities, Action Zone, Blue Zone
Details:
Following the International Youth Summit held on the sidelines of COP17, this event will highlight youth engagement in biodiversity, both internationally and in Quebec. By bringing together the perspectives of the youth delegation at COP17, the highlights of the Quebec youth consultation on biodiversity, and the experience of the GYBN Quebec network, the session will highlight young people’s priorities and demands, as well as the initiatives they are leading.
The discussions will also explore opportunities to strengthen youth participation and influence in biodiversity governance, from the Quebec level to the international level.
With:
Jennifer Makambo, cofondatrice de GYBN Québec
Laura Fequino, analyste politique et chargée de mobilisation, Ateliers pour la biodiversité
Un·e représentant·e de la délégation jeunesse
et modéré par : Elyssa Hidar, cofondatrice de GYBN Québec et membre de GYBN International
Our Events in Quebec
Can’t make it to Yerevan? The Dialogues for Biodiversity will allow you to follow COP17 remotely.
Throughout the conference, we’ll share content, analyses, and reports to help you understand the key discussions, issues, and developments at COP17, with a special focus on topics related to integrating biodiversity into decision-making in Quebec.
More details: https://www.lesdialogues.ca/biodiversite
Our On-Site Team
David Roy, Executive Director, david@ateliersbiodiversitequebec.org
Laura Fequino, Political Analyst, laura@ateliersbiodiversitequebec.org
About COP17
COP17 marks an important milestone in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. It will provide an opportunity to take stock of progress made, strengthen commitments, and promote greater coordination among countries and sectors. These conferences are essential for accelerating the transformative changes needed to address the biodiversity crisis.
Press Release
