By Ms. Sharon Ruthia, member of the CBD Women’s caucus
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position or opinions of the CBD Women’s Caucus
On 22–23 April 2026, the CBD Women’s Caucus was represented by four members — Sharon Ruthia, Cristina Eghenter, Fatou Ndiaye, and Bertha Medrano — at the CO-OP4CBD Training Session on Engaging and Strengthening Capacity-Building for Civil Society in preparation for CBD COP17, held at the French Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.
The training brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, women’s and youth groups, traditional ecological knowledge holders, and scientists.
Our voices at the COOP4CBD Training
The primary objective of the training was to strengthen the capacity of non-state actors to engage effectively in CBD processes. Discussions were closely aligned with the broader goals of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The training also contributed to ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its Gender Plan of Action.
During the training, Sharon Ruthia and Cristina Eghenter presented the CBD Women’s Caucus to the audience. Sharon Ruthia highlighted the work carried out by the Caucus, as well as the different ways in which participants can become involved, with particular emphasis on policy and advocacy engagement. Cristina Eghenter provided a perspective on the road to CBD COP17, outlining key issues and strategic considerations for upcoming negotiations.
Their interventions also highlighted the role of the CBD Women’s Caucus as a self-organized platform that advances advocacy through policy submissions, formal statements, side events, and strategic collaboration with allies, while contributing perspectives on how major stakeholder groups engage within CBD processes.
A key highlight of the training was the strong emphasis on the “whole-of-society” approach, which seeks to build productive linkages between bottom-up community action and state-led processes. This approach was presented as a critical pathway for transformative change, enabling more inclusive participation in biodiversity governance and creating opportunities for civil society to engage in mechanisms such as the Global Review process.
Discussions also addressed recent developments within CBD processes, including progress on planning, monitoring, reporting, and review (PMRR). Participants noted advancements made at COP15, such as the alignment of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the global framework and the establishment of periodic global reviews, as well as updates from COP16, including increased national submissions and the development of reporting templates.
Outcomes and nexts steps
Interactive workshops provided practical tools for engagement, including the drafting of policy submissions, the preparation of formal statements, the organization of side events, and strategies for navigating negotiations. Particular attention was given to engagement under Article 8(j), which recognizes the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and underscores the importance of respecting and integrating traditional knowledge systems.
A recurring theme throughout the discussions was the challenge of ensuring not only the visibility, but also the meaningful recognition of women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities as rights holders within biodiversity governance processes.
The training further strengthened participants’ capacity to engage in CBD processes while reinforcing the importance of inclusive, coordinated, and rights-based approaches to biodiversity governance. Discussions highlighted the value of the Global Review as a mechanism for accountability, as well as the importance of recognizing communities as contributors to and holders of knowledge, particularly in relation to Indigenous and local knowledge systems.
From a gender perspective, the exchanges underscored the importance of advancing Targets 22 and 23 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which call for inclusive, equitable, and gender-responsive participation in decision-making, as well as the full, equal, effective, and meaningful leadership of women in biodiversity governance. These targets were recognized as essential for addressing systemic inequalities and ensuring that biodiversity policies are both effective and just.
Moving forward, the CBD Women’s Caucus will continue supporting gender-responsive approaches, strengthening women’s participation in decision-making processes, and contributing to inclusive biodiversity governance at local, national, regional, and international levels.