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A key focus of GYBN UK is ensuring young people are empowered and equipped to participate in biodiversity policy and decision-making.
A key focus of GYBN UK is ensuring young people are empowered and equipped to participate in biodiversity policy and decision-making.
International policy
International policy
The Global Youth Biodiversity Network has been recognised as the international coordination platform for youth participation in the CBD since 2012.
GYBN UK is a national chapter of the network and an active contributor to international policy development.
The CBD and COPs
The CBD and COPs
GYBN UK sent 5 young people to COP16 in Cali, Colombia in Oct 2024. See our 6 month impact report for details on what we got up to and check out our 'Build up to COP16' campaign on our socials for bitesized explanations on all things Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Conference of the Parties (COP). We are currently preparing for COP17 towards the end of 2026!
Other CBD meetings
Other CBD meetings
GYBN UK is an active participant of the regional chapter - GYBN Europe - and the global network. Members of GYBN UK have represented European and global youth at a number of regional CBD meeting including Regional Dialogues for the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) and Technical Exchanges. These meetings are where countries and key stakeholders of the CBD get together to share knowledge and experience on delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework as well as offering insight into improvements to CBD policy.
GYBN UK members have provided interventions (speeches) to share youth positions and worked with representatives to further youth inclusion. See more on our media and representation page.
IPBES
IPBES
GYBN UK participated in the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) 12th Plenary meeting in Manchester, England in 2026.
Members of team met with UK delegates, provided interventions to the plenary and coordinated a youth network. You can read more about our time at IPBES in our blog.
“The Global Youth Biodiversity Network, both in the UK and globally, has demonstrated an exceptional ability to engage constructively with biodiversity policy processes and to influence them in meaningful ways. GYBN UK’s work shows a maturity, credibility, and strategic understanding that goes well beyond consultation, with youth contributing substantively to national and international discussions on UK policy and under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
GYBN UK's impressive combination of strong grassroots engagement and effective policy presence ensures that youth perspectives are informed, representative, and relevant to decision-makers. This is precisely the kind of inclusive, whole-of-society participation that is essential for delivering the Global Biodiversity Framework and securing outcomes that are just, ambitious, and durable over the long term.”
David Cooper
Chair of JNCC, former Executive Secretary of the CBD
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