Update: Guterres tells biodiversity summit that progress on protecting nature is 'far too slow'

Oct. 16, 2026 — This updates our Oct. 15 report on countries' biodiversity targets. UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the Leaders' Summit on Biodiversity in Yerevan, Armenia, host of the COP17 biodiversity conference, that progress is "uneven, and far too slow." Even if current national commitments are met, he said, only 26% of land and 12% of marine ecosystems would be protected by 2030, short of the 30% target agreed in Montreal. "For every dollar invested in protecting nature, $30 are spent destroying it," he said, and urged governments to end fossil fuel subsidies.

The wall: Commitments made by individual governments at the summit were not covered.

Tier: Confirmed (based on the Secretary-General's remarks as released by the UN)

Sources

• UN Press, 'There Is No Time to Waste', Secretary-General Tells Biodiversity Summit, Urging Action to Protect Nature (SG/SM/23334, Oct. 16, 2026)
• UN News, Guterres urges faster action and financing to stop biodiversity loss (Oct. 16, 2026)

Related coverage

• Fewer than half of countries' biodiversity targets are on track, UN report finds before COP17 Oct 16

environment, biodiversity

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