Launch of the Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge
20 October 2026
Location: UN Pavilion
Background
In direct support for the Armenia COP 31 Presidency’s Flagship - The Yerevan Call on Positive Incentives towards Biodiversity, the 2-year Yerevan Biodiversity Finance Challenge (2026-2028) will galvanize renewed momentum amongst the countries towards Targets 18 and 19. With the COP Presidency’s leadership and through the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, the Challenge will create a coalition of like-minded countries that are determined to make a huge leap forward towards Targets 18 and 19. This group, championed by Armenia, will gather periodically to share insights and advocate for biodiversity budget tagging and subsidies screening and greening at international fora. Ministries of planning, finance, and statistical agencies may be invited as observers to this proposed group.
Objective
Formal launch the challenge and discuss with countries how to participate.
Agenda
00:00
00:05
Opening by the Government of Armenia
00:06
00:15
Presentation on the Yerevan Finance Challenge (UNDP/GoA) including Armenia’s experience on biodiversity finance
00:16
00:35
Countries in action – three examples of progress on the Challenge (Results-based budgeting, budget tagging, repurposing subsidies)
00:36
00:45
Opportunities with NBSAP Accelerator Matchmaking Platform
00:46
01:25
Q&A and discussion
01:26
01:30
Final reflections by UNDP (Midori Paxton)