The Council of the European Union has published a notice and provisional agenda for the first EU consultation meeting in preparation for the 28th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-28) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), scheduled for 27 July to 1 August 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya. The EU consultation meeting aims to coordinate positions among EU institutions and Member States before and during the Nairobi session, ensuring a coherent EU representation and negotiation stance on biodiversity science and technology issues.
The meeting, set to take place ahead of SBSTTA-28, will cover organisational matters and information from the Presidency, a report from the Bureau member, exchange of information on outreach activities, and finalisation and approval of outstanding EU orientation lines. The document, dated 24 July 2026, serves as a preparatory step for EU engagement in the global biodiversity policy forum under the CBD. No prior EU coordination meetings on SBSTTA-28 have been recorded in recent months, making this the first formal step to align EU positions.
The consultation is expected to facilitate timely preparation of EU contributions to SBSTTA-28, which addresses scientific, technical and technological advice for implementing the CBD. The meeting will involve representatives from EU institutions and Member States, with the Presidency providing updates and the Bureau member reporting on preparatory work. Outreach activities will also be discussed to enhance EU visibility and influence in the negotiations.
EU Member States will benefit from a coordinated approach, potentially strengthening their collective bargaining power in Nairobi. EU institutions, including the Commission and the Council Secretariat, will have a platform to align technical positions. Environmental NGOs and biodiversity advocacy groups may see their interests reflected if EU orientation lines incorporate ambitious conservation targets. Conversely, industry sectors reliant on biodiversity resources, such as agriculture and pharmaceuticals, could face tighter regulatory implications if EU positions push for stronger biodiversity protections. The meeting's outcomes will shape the EU's ability to influence global biodiversity policy, with potential trade-offs between economic development and environmental conservation.
Following the consultation, EU orientation lines will be finalised and approved, guiding EU delegates at SBSTTA-28. The Council is expected to issue a statement or set of conclusions after the Nairobi meeting, summarising EU achievements and commitments. The European Parliament may also weigh in through resolutions or questions to the Commission on the outcomes.