From 20–30 October 2025, the 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA27) and the the first Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) were held in Panama City. Flore Ghetti of SGI attended the meetings, where she advocated for human rights-based approaches to biodiversity conservation, youth-led advocacy and policy coherence across the Rio Conventions.

The two-week session at the Atlapa Convention Center served as a crucial milestone in advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, with SGI contributing to key discussions on rights-based approaches and intergenerational equity.

"Human rights-based approaches are both an ethical imperative and the most effective strategy for biodiversity conservation," said Ghetti, who co-organized a side event on 23 October titled "Aligning Voices: Multi-actor Pathways for a Just and Equitable Policy Coherence Across the Rio Conventions."

The event brought together diverse actors including core partners SwedBio, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), CBD Women's Caucus, Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), World Wildlife Fund International, Indigenous Peoples Rights International and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Participants explored how aligning biodiversity, climate and land governance can ensure human rights-based and equitable outcomes while building a shared understanding of inclusive approaches to enhanced policy coherence.

On 25 October, SGI co-organized a major launching event titled "Inclusive Conversation—From Dialogue to Action: Advancing Human Rights-Based Approach for Biodiversity and Climate." The event was organized in partnership with SwedBio, CDKN and the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net)—a partnership initiative driven by UNDP, UNEP-WCMC and UNESCO.

Ghetti served as facilitator for the event, which officially launched a report that captured key lessons, recommendations and priority actions from the 2024–2025 Human Rights Based Approaches (HRBA) dialogue process. "This report represents months of collaborative dialogue among diverse stakeholders committed to ensuring that biodiversity action respects and advances human rights," Ghetti explained.

The morning session featured a panel of previous dialogue participants sharing their experiences and showcasing HRBA initiatives from diverse regions. The afternoon workshop brought participants together to shape the vision and future of the HRBA Community of Practice and identify concrete next steps for integrating human rights-based approaches into CBD processes.

Throughout both weeks, Ghetti worked closely with the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), which is the youth constituency to the CBD. As GYBN Europe co-coordinator, she participated in daily morning briefings, tracked negotiations on shared documents and helped coordinate advocacy efforts focused on children and youth rights, women and girls, Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

"Youth voices must be meaningfully integrated into biodiversity decision-making," Ghetti emphasized. "We're not just advocating for a seat at the table—we're working to ensure our perspectives shape the outcomes."

On 22 October, Ghetti joined a meeting with the European Union delegation, where GYBN members presented their requests and textual proposals on each negotiation item. The meeting demonstrated the growing recognition of youth expertise in biodiversity policy.

On 23 October, she met with delegates from Armenia and the CBD Secretariat to discuss youth engagement at the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which Armenia will host in Yerevan. The meeting established a strong foundation for youth-led spaces and events at the upcoming conference, building on lessons learned from previous COPs.

The two weeks at SBSTTA27 and SB8J demonstrated both progress and challenges in advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. SBSTTA27 faced challenging negotiations, with many bracketed recommendations sent forward to COP17 for final decision. However, SB8J successfully concluded its deliberations through smooth procedures and a spirit of collaboration, demonstrating the value of constructive multilateral engagement.

The successful launch of the HRBA report and the establishment of the HRBA Community of Practice represent significant milestones in ensuring that biodiversity conservation centers human dignity and rights. As the international community moves toward COP17 in Armenia, these frameworks provide concrete pathways for rights-based implementation of the global biodiversity framework.

SGI's participation in Panama reinforced the organization's commitment to working at the intersection of human rights, youth empowerment and environmental protection. By convening diverse stakeholders through side events while supporting youth-led advocacy through GYBN, SGI demonstrated how faith-based organizations can serve as bridges across constituencies and contribute to more inclusive biodiversity governance.

Looking ahead to COP17, SGI remains committed to amplifying youth voices and promoting rights-based biodiversity action. The organization plans to continue its collaborative work with SwedBio, CDKN, OHCHR and other core partners, while supporting GYBN's coordination of youth engagement and the operationalization of the HRBA Community of Practice.