From October 19 to 30, 2026, the COP17 on biodiversity is bringing together countries worldwide in Yerevan, Armenia. This conference aims to provide an initial assessment of the progress made since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Framework in 2022, with the 2030 deadline approaching. The main objective is to move from commitments to concrete results, an issue also being monitored in Wallonia through various indicators.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Framework sets 23 targets for 2030, including protecting 30% of the planet's land and seas, restoring degraded ecosystems, and reducing pollution. COP17 is the first global review of these advancements. Both WWF and the United Nations emphasize that progress is uneven and insufficient. Discussions focus on effective implementation, financing, and accelerating actions, particularly concerning protected areas and marine biodiversity.
In Belgium, the situation is similar: the majority of natural habitats are in unfavorable condition. Global commitments must translate into local public policies. In Wallonia, monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land), allows for the assessment of the regional trajectory. Indicators managed by IWEPS and the Directorate for Sustainable Development of the Walloon Public Service measure parameters such as orthophosphate concentration in water bodies and the conservation status of habitats and species.
These Walloon indicators translate international objectives into observable data, helping to identify areas where efforts need to be strengthened. Four years before the 2030 Agenda deadline, COP17 underscores the importance of measuring progress to adapt policies. The Walloon portal for sustainable development indicators provides this data to track Wallonia's progress towards the 17 SDGs.
