Thailand’s Cabinet Approves Negotiation Framework and Acknowledges Composition of Delegation for CBD COP 17

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Thailand’s Cabinet Approves Negotiation Framework and Acknowledges Composition of Delegation for CBD COP 17

Introduction

On 14 October 2026, the Thai Cabinet, as proposed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (the “MNRE”), approved Thailand’s negotiation framework and acknowledged the composition of the Thai delegation for the following meetings (collectively, the “Meetings”):

  1. the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (“CBD COP 17”);
  2. the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (“CP-MOP 12”); and
  3. the 6th meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (“NP-MOP 6”).

The Meetings commenced on 19 October 2026 and are scheduled to conclude on 30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia.

Thailand’s participation aims to contribute to international decision-making on biodiversity and to apply the outcomes in developing national policies and measures suited to Thailand’s circumstances. It is also expected to strengthen Thailand’s role in international discussions and promote cooperation on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

Background and Global Biodiversity Goals

On 29 January 2004, Thailand became a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (the “CBD”), which aims to conserve biodiversity, promote its sustainable use, and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

To advance these objectives, the Parties to the CBD adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the “KM-GBF”) at the second part of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (“CBD COP 15 Part 2”) in December 2022. The KM-GBF serves as a global framework for biodiversity action. It establishes a 2030 Mission and targets to guide efforts towards its long-term goals for 2050:

  • 2030 Mission and Targets: To halt and reverse biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery by 2030, supported by 23 targets (the “2030 Targets”) covering ecosystem conservation and restoration, species protection, pollution reduction, the sustainable use of biodiversity, fair and equitable benefit-sharing, and financial support.
  • 2050 Goals: Four long-term goals addressing (i) the conservation and restoration of biodiversity; (ii) the sustainable use of biodiversity; (iii) the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources; and (iv) the financial and other resources needed to implement the KM-GBF.

Key Focus of the Meetings

A key focus of the Meetings, particularly CBD COP 17, will be to review the implementation of the KM-GBF, assess collective progress towards the 2030 Targets and 2050 Goals, identify achievements and implementation challenges, and determine where further action is needed.

The Meetings will also consider measures to accelerate implementation, particularly through increased financial support, stronger international cooperation and enhanced national efforts to achieve global biodiversity goals.

Thailand’s Position and Participation

1. Thailand’s Negotiation Framework

The negotiation framework, prepared by the MNRE through the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (“ONEP”), is based on two key principles:

  • Multilateral cooperation: Support international cooperation and consensus-based decision-making to advance the objectives of the CBD, its related protocols and the KM-GBF, while safeguarding Thailand’s national interests.
  • Equity and national sovereignty: Promote sustainable development, respect countries’ sovereign rights over biological and genetic resources, and take into account the needs, priorities and circumstances of developing countries.

Thailand will also seek to advance key issues, namely biodiversity financing, nature restoration, fair and equitable benefit-sharing from digital sequence information on genetic resources, local community participation, and the integration of biodiversity conservation into relevant sectors.

2. Composition of the Thai Delegation

The Thai delegation will be led by the Permanent Secretary of the MNRE and will comprise representatives of the following 10 government agencies:

  • Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning;
  • Department of Marine and Coastal Resources;
  • Department of Water Resources;
  • Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation;
  • Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
  • Department of Fisheries;
  • Office of the National Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Policy Council;
  • Thailand Science Research and Innovation;
  • National Science and Technology Development Agency; and
  • Biodiversity-Based Economy Development Office (Public Organization).

Key Takeaways

  • A key focus of the Meetings, particularly CBD COP 17, will be to review the implementation of the KM-GBF and assess collective progress towards the 2030 Targets and 2050 Goals.
  • Thailand will emphasize multilateral cooperation, sustainable development, equity, and national sovereignty over biological and genetic resources, while advancing key issues such as biodiversity financing and fair and equitable benefit-sharing.
  • Decisions adopted at the Meetings may influence Thailand’s future biodiversity policies and measures and may, in some cases, require amendments to domestic laws. Further developments should therefore be monitored.

Author: Panisa Suwanmatajarn, Managing Partner.

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