Biodiversity Law and Governance Day (BLGD) is a flagship global forum convening leading legal scholars, policymakers, international organisations, civil society leaders, Indigenous representatives, and practitioners to advance the role of law and governance in protecting biodiversity and achieving sustainable development.
Organised under the Biodiversity Law and Governance Initiative and hosted in collaboration with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL), BLGD provides a high-level space for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and practical solutions at the intersection of biodiversity, climate, human rights, and sustainable economies.
Why Biodiversity Law and Governance Day?
The accelerating biodiversity crisis demands robust legal frameworks, inclusive governance models, and effective implementation mechanisms. BLGD responds to this challenge by:
- Translating global biodiversity commitments into actionable legal and policy pathways
- Showcasing innovative governance tools, including rights-based approaches and community-led conservation
- Strengthening linkages between science, law, policy, and practice
- Supporting implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
A Global Platform at the Heart of Multilateral Processes
Biodiversity Law and Governance Day is convened alongside major international processes, including the Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Recent editions have taken place during CBD COP16 in Cali, bringing together voices from across regions and legal traditions.
BLGD combines in-person and online participation, ensuring global accessibility and meaningful engagement from all regions.
What to Expect
BLGD programmes typically feature:
- High-level plenary sessions with global leaders in biodiversity law and governance
- Expert panels on topics such as:
- Implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework
- Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights
- Financing biodiversity and aligning business with nature
- Interactive dialogues connecting policymakers, academics, practitioners, and youth leaders
- Knowledge outputs that feed into policy debates, research, and capacity-building initiatives
Who Participates?
Biodiversity Law and Governance Day brings together:
- Government representatives and negotiators
- International and regional organisations
- Judges, lawyers, and legal scholars
- Environmental NGOs and civil society organisations
- Indigenous Peoples’ and local community representatives
- Students and emerging leaders in sustainability and governance
Building a Community of Practice
Beyond a single event, BLGD is part of a growing global community of practice committed to strengthening biodiversity governance through law. Outcomes from each edition inform ongoing research, policy engagement, and capacity-building activities led by CISDL and its global partners.
Join us in shaping the legal and governance foundations needed to halt biodiversity loss and build a more just, resilient, and sustainable future for people and nature.
For programme details, speakers, and participation opportunities, explore the latest Biodiversity Law and Governance Day edition on our website.