The UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s 17th Conference of Parties (CBD COP17) will take place in Yerevan, Armenia from October 19-30, 2026. Many of California’s government agencies, elected officials, nonprofit organizations and universities will be in attendance. CalGBA has formed a COP17 Planning Group to plan for a coordinated California presence at COP, including with partners nationally and globally. To join this group, contact Rosalind@CalGBA.org.

Through partnerships and education, CalGBA works to center biodiversity in planning, policy and decision making. CalGBA is partnering with member organizations like the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators to collaboratively develop national national dialogues with decision makers, while also partnering with local California leaders to educate on pathways to integrating biodiversity, including the systemic whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach mapped out by the KMGBF. This collective action also extends to leaders in other states and subnational governments globally. To set up a meeting or presentation about opportunities to engage and partner with us, reach out to contact@calgba.org.

Since our inception, CalGBA has organized workshops several times annually for members and partners to advance knowledge, as well as collaboration and collective action. These workshops cover topics from the basics of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and attending negotiations to dialogues aimed at advancing biodiversity integration into policies and projects in California to advanced preparations for COP participation, such as crafting key messages. To join CalGBA’s Workshops Committee, reach out to Rosalind@CalGBA.org.

CalGBA coordinates participation and communications for large “delegation of delegations” at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity COPs and other global and local science and policy forums. CalGBA also supports members in the process for applying to become official CBD observers. Recently CalGBA members gathered at California’s 30x30 Partnership Summit and CalGBA is currently organizing to participate collectively in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2026, where we will join subnational biodiversity strategy conversations and co-host events with the governments of Quebec and Catalonia, and with the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators.