LocationsGlobal coordination for biodiversity: high-level panel sets the stage for CITES CoP20
November 24, 2025
The High-Level Panel was moderated by Ms. Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan. Speakers: Ms. Susan Gardner, Director, Ecosystems Division, UNEP; Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, CBD Secretariat; Ms. Amy Fraenkel, Executive Secretary, CMS Secretariat; Ms. Grethel Aguilar, Director General, IUCN; Dr. Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, RAMSAR; Dr. Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, BRS Conventions Secretariat
Ahead of the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20), a high-level panel Global Focus: Multilateral Environment Conventions and Organizations was convened in Samarkand. Organized by the Government of Uzbekistan in partnership with the CITES Secretariat and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the panel brought together more than 500 participants and leaders from key institutions in global environmental governance.
The event provided a platform for dialogue across environmental conventions whose collective mandates shape the global response to biodiversity loss. Participants emphasized that CITES functions within a broader framework of multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs). Addressing the drivers of biodiversity loss from habitat degradation to climate change and pollution requires coordinated, cross-sectoral action.
Discussions at CoP20 underscored the value of aligning monitoring, governance, and financing mechanisms, enabling countries to fulfill their commitments in a consistent, mutually reinforcing manner.
This integrated approach is particularly relevant for Kazakhstan, a country that hosts critical habitats and migratory routes for species protected under CITES, CMS, and Ramsar. Kazakhstan currently hosts 10 Ramsar sites, covering over 3.19 million hectares. The country is entering a new phase of biodiversity policy, with the development of a National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, expansion of protected areas, and fresh commitments under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
“UNDP in Kazakhstan is committed to advancing regional solutions for biodiversity conservation. By joining forces on ecosystem restoration, wildlife protection, and innovative finance, Central Asian countries are showing leadership in turning commitments into action—protecting iconic species and building resilient landscapes for future generations,”said Katarzyna Wawiernia, UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan.
UNDP Kazakhstan supports these national efforts through initiatives such as BIOFIN, which helps assess biodiversity expenditure, strengthen institutional frameworks, and mobilize innovative financing instruments aligned with global standards. The office also works with national partners to integrate MEA obligations into planning, monitoring, and reporting systems—enhancing coherence and efficiency in environmental governance.
The panel further highlighted the importance of linking wildlife regulation with community benefits and sustainable livelihoods. As global conservation financing gaps widen, tools such as nature credit schemes and conservation bonds are gaining traction as practical means to mobilize investment for biodiversity and support local development.
Related
content
content
