From Vision to Impact: Delivering Biodiversity Results through Subnational Leadership and Whole-of-Society Partnerships 

This high-level event will showcase how subnational governments are already delivering tangible biodiversity results and advancing restoration under the KMGBF. Through examples from Québec, Paraná and others, the event will highlight the importance of multilevel governance, whole-of-society partnerships and accessible finance to scale implementation towards 2030. 

Date and Time: 22 October 2026, 10:00–11:30 
Location: Auditorium, Blue Zone, Biodiversity COP17 
Organizer: Regions4 and the Government of Québec
Registration link: TBC 

Regions4 Day at the Subnational Hub within the Action Zone 

The Regions4 Day at the Subnational Governments Hub, located within the COP17 Action Zone, will showcase regional leadership and progress towards the targets of the KMGBF. Through concrete examples from Regions4 members and partners, it will provide regions with a dedicated platform to share their work, highlighting solutions and demonstrate their contribution to biodiversity action. 

The Action Zone, located within COP17’s Blue Zone, will serve as a collaborative space throughout the Conference, from 19 to 30 October. Regions4, together with other partners, will contribute to curating the programme of its Subnational Governments Hub. Regions interested in hosting an event at the Hub are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EoI) by emailing rgomez@regions4.org, indicating the proposed event title, participating partners and preferred date.

Date and Time: 23 October 2026 – 9:00-13:00 (GMT +4) 
Location: Action Zone, Blue Zone, Biodiversity COP17 
Organizer: Regions4 (Host), in partnership with the CBD Secretariat

AC SNG Executive Meeting (By invitation only) 

The Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity (AC SNG) will convene its Executive Meeting during COP17 to discuss the negotiations, progress towards the global biodiversity targets and its strategic priorities for 2027. 

Regional governments interested in learning more about the Committee’s work and exploring membership are invited to express their interest in attending as observers. The meeting will offer an opportunity to meet current members, gain insight into the Committee’s activities and discover how regions can contribute to its collective work. To request an invitation, please contact rgomez@regions4.org. 

Date and Time: 25 October 2026 — Time TBC (date TBC)
Location: Blue Zone, Biodiversity COP17
Organizer: Regions4 and the Government of Québec (Host), in partnership with the members of the AC SNG and the CBD Secretariat

Regions4 Members and Partners Networking Reception (By invitation only) 

This high-level reception will bring together representatives of subnational governments, international organizations, implementing agencies, donors and other key partners. It will recognize the Government of Québec’s leadership in advancing subnational engagement in global biodiversity finance, while fostering new connections between regional leaders and the institutions supporting biodiversity action. The reception will also reaffirm the essential role of subnational governments in delivering the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 

Date and Time: 25 October 2026, 18:00–20:00 (GMT+4, local time) 
Location: Banquet Hall, COP17 Blue Zone (to be confirmed) 
Organizer: Regions4 and the Government of Québec, with additional partners to be confirmed 

9th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities 

The 9th Summit for Subnational Governments & Cities is the highest-level gathering of the subnational constituency at COP17 and a key moment for advancing the role of states, regions and cities in the global biodiversity agenda. Regions4 will draw on more than 20 years of experience and a growing network of 59 members to demonstrate how proven solutions can be adapted and scaled across territories. 

The Summit will also mark the launch of Arboris: the next chapter of the Regions4 Case Study Database (CSD). Arboris represents the evolution of the CSD into an expanded ecosystem of climate and biodiversity solutions, designed to make territorial knowledge more accessible, connect experiences across regions and support the wider replication of effective approaches. 

Date and Time: 24 October 2026 — 9:00 – 16:00 (GMT+4)
Location: Plenary Room within the Blue Zone, Biodiversity COP17 
Organizer: Regions4 (Co-host), in partnership with the Secretariat of the CBD, ICLEI, the Government of Armenia, the City of Yerevan, UNEP, the Global Taskforce of Local and Regional Governments, CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature 
Registration link here 

Side-event — Technical Focus 

The technical side-event will build on Regions4’s work on effective subnational monitoring of the KMGBF, bringing together scientific experts, subnational leaders and the CBD Secretariat to explore how the monitoring framework can better reflect and support subnational progress. 

Date and Time: TBC
Location: Blue Zone, potentially IUCN Pavilion, Biodiversity COP17 
Organizer: Regions4 (Co-host), the Government of Québec, IUCN/ICLEI, CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature
Registration link: TBC 

COP17 will be a decisive moment for assessing collective progress towards the KMGBF. Regional governments are invited to strengthen their engagement in the global biodiversity agenda, connect with peers and prepare to make their contributions more visible in the next implementation and reporting cycle through two complementary initiatives.

Prepare for the next reporting cycle through RegionsWithNature

RegionsWithNature supports regional and other subnational governments in advancing ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions. It also enables them to register their commitments and track their contributions to the implementation of the KMGBF, National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), and Subnational Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (SBSAPs). While reporting for the COP17 global review has concluded, regions can join RegionsWithNature to begin documenting their commitments and actions and prepare to contribute to future global reviews.

How to join: Visit the RegionsWithNature website to register your region and begin engaging with the initiative

Add your voice to the AC SNG 

The Advisory Committee on Subnational Governments and Biodiversity (AC SNG) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an open and inclusive network that brings the priorities, experiences and perspectives of subnational governments into the international biodiversity agenda. Coordinated by Regions4 and the Government of Québec, it provides a space for collective advocacy, peer exchange and collaboration. 

How to join: Regional governments interested in learning more about the AC SNG and exploring membership are invited to contact rgomez@regions4.org