This October, the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation led a delegation of 40 representatives from financial institutions to Yerevan. As an observer and lead partner of the CBD on Finance Sector mobilisation, FfB Foundation represented financial institutions in the COP17 negotiations and contribute directly to text discussions.
As part of this, we engaged in a full programme of events. We led, contributed to and co-hosted 25+ events across COP17, creating opportunities for financial institutions, policymakers and partners to exchange experience and advance action on biodiversity finance.
Summary of key engagements
Ministers-CEOs Event – Partnerships for Nature and Economic Prosperity
Co-hosted by the Armenian COP17 Presidency, the Ministry of Finance of Armenia, UN CBD, and the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action, in partnership with UNEP and FfB Foundation, this high-level gathering brought together senior leaders to exchange experience and strengthen collaboration. The dialogue focused on nature-related risks and opportunities, integrating nature into economic policy and decision-making, and mobilising public and private investment for resilient and nature-smart development.
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Reforming Biodiversity Harmful Financial Flows: Accelerating Action Towards Target 18
Representatives from nine governments met at the event hosted by Jaimi van Essen, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature of the Netherlands. The event closed with a statement from Jacco Minnaar, CCO of Triodos Bank, delivering a statement of support from business and financial institutions and officially presenting the letter from 130+ global businesses and financial institutions coordinated by Business for Nature and the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation.
Calling for the Successful Establishment of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)
Together with WWF Netherlands and Robeco, we brought together finance and policy leaders to explore how private investors can engage with the TFFF and how governments can support its success. We were pleased to welcome Paul Van de Logt, Head of Climate, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs to this discussion on the same day they announced its intention to contribute up to US$500 million over the next ten years to the TFFF.
Financial Sector Perspectives on Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
During this event, we presented the new DSI Investor Guidance, the deliverable of the FfB DSI Investor Group. Ffb members shared reflections of the financial sector regarding the value of DSI in economic value chains, and to share key recommendations for policymakers and corporates to support the success of the UN Cali Fund.
Finance for Nature Positive Workshop
Workshop participants engaged in an interactive discussion on FfB’s Finance for Nature Positive working model, sharing their perspectives to help guide the initial phase of the GEF-funded programme aimed at building the global framework. This work will provide a structured, indicator-driven model for financial institutions to assess progress on nature across different themes and market segments.
Nature in Sovereign Debt – A collective intelligence workshop to define priorities in public-private dialogue
The workshop facilitated an interactive discussion on the newly updated FfB Sovereign Debt Assessment Model, building capacity to use the model for decision-making and exploring how to best leverage it for public-private dialogue on debt sustainability and GBF implementation.
Nature Transition Finance
Participants engaged in an interactive discussion around FfB’s Nature Transition Companies framework being developed and the new FfB Foundation Nature Transition Companies Sub Group. This work will provide a structured, indicator-driven model for financial institutions to assess corporate progress on nature across different themes and components.
Mobilising Resources for Nature: A Showcase of Biodiversity Finance Solutions
This event, co-hosted by the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, UNEP FI, PRI and the EU Business & Biodiversity Platform – all of which coordinate the annual ‘New Green Shoots’ Series – brought together a group of diverse financial institutions to present real-world examples of investment vehicles, funds and financial products that work towards generating positive outcomes for nature.
Engaging Finance in Delivering NBSAPs
This event explored how finance can become an active delivery partner for NBSAP and NBFP implementation, introducing three mutually reinforcing practical unlockers: nature-positive pathways, organisational transition plans and landscape approaches. A moderated panel brought together perspectives from government, development finance, financial institutions and civil society to explore how these unlockers can reinforce one another in practice, closing with key takeaways for action around COP17.
Nature Action 100 Company Benchmark 2026: Tracking Corporate Progress on Nature
This session explored the key findings from the second Nature Action 100 Company Benchmark assessment, highlighting areas of progress, persistent challenges, and examples of emerging good practice. Through reflections from investors, participants discussed how the benchmark could support stewardship efforts and help drive greater corporate accountability for nature.
Tracking Indicator D3 – How Much Does Private Finance Contribute to Biodiversity Positive Outcomes?
The interactive workshop gathered insights from stakeholders regarding how improved measurement and monitoring could support Parties in planning, implementing and reviewing progress towards Target 19.
Water & Finance: Investing in a resilient future
KfW highlighted why water ecosystems were central both to the successful implementation of the GBF and to society’s long-term wellbeing. Financial institutions, together with panellists and the audience, discussed practical pathways for aligning investments with positive water-related outcomes and for ensuring these investments generated multifunctional benefits for society.
De-Risking Nature: Insurance’s Role Across the Credit Lifecycle (AXA)
A discussion on how nature credits can help channel private capital into nature at scale, dependent on high integrity and on the practical tools buyers and investors need to act with confidence. This panel presented a discussion paper co-authored by IAPB and AXA Climate on how insurance can support high-integrity nature credit markets.
From Water Risk to Water Resilience: Scaling landscape-level solutions for long-term business value (Federated Hermes Limited)
The event explored how companies are managing financially material water-related dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities, and how this is informing landscape-level water management strategies.
FfB Foundation COP17 Delegation Dinner