Global Leaders Honoured at Biodiversity Law & Governance Day 2026

Yerevan, Armenia — The 2026 Global Biodiversity Law & Governance Leadership Awards were presented on 27 October during the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP17).

The ceremony was hosted by the Biodiversity Law and Governance Initiative and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law on Tuesday, 27 October, from 17:30 to 18:15 Yerevan time at the Academia & Research Organisations Hub, CBD COP17, Yerevan. Biodiversity Law & Governance Day, held on 24 October in Yerevan, brought legal, policy, academic and civil society leaders together to discuss how law and governance can support implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Across five editions, BLGD has welcomed 4,480 registrants from more than 170 countries. The 2026 Day was convened with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, the University of Cambridge, Yerevan State University, the University of Costa Rica and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, with support from the Asian Development Bank.

2026 Award Recipients

This year’s laureates were recognised in three categories for their contributions to biodiversity law, governance, conservation and education:

 

Impact Award

• • Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), was honoured for three decades of leadership advancing law for people and nature—from community partnerships and support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to her global stewardship of IUCN and leadership of the 2025 World Conservation Congress.

Practice Award

• • Adv Andrew Raine, Executive Secretary of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and ASCOBANS, was honoured for more than two decades of distinguished practice in international environmental law, including leadership at UNEP and his work to safeguard migratory species.

• • Dr Harry D. Jonas, Senior Director, Conservation Areas at WWF and Co-Chair of the IUCN Specialist Group on OECMs, was honoured for pioneering community-centred legal practice at the intersection of conservation and human rights, including his role in the international process that defined Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and his contribution to effective, equitable and rights-based conservation. 

Education Award

• • Universidad de Costa Rica, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali and Universidad Externado de Colombia were honoured for their partnership and leadership in biodiversity law education and scholarship, for co-hosting Biodiversity Law & Governance Day 2024 and contributing to the successful CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia.

More from the 2026 awards ceremony

The awards celebrate leadership that turns legal commitments into action and helps advance biodiversity protection, sustainability and equity.

 

Event Highlights and Themes

Sessions explored the legal and policy frameworks needed to put the Global Biodiversity Framework into practice. Key themes included:

• Accelerating implementation and review: progress reviews, implementation gaps in national biodiversity strategies, monitoring, reporting, accountability and Indigenous laws.
• Area-based conservation and rights: OECM recognition and governance, effective and equitable Target 3 implementation, marine conservation and community-led conservation.
• Access and benefit-sharing: the multilateral mechanism for digital sequence information, the Cali Fund, Indigenous traditional knowledge and the Nagoya Protocol.
• Finance, capacity and partnerships: biodiversity finance, reform of harmful incentives and sustained cooperation beyond COP17.

Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger reflected: “Biodiversity law only changes lives when it is understood, owned and used by the people who must implement it. Today we recognised leaders and institutions who have turned legal commitments into real action for nature and for communities.” Prof. Jorge Cabrera Medaglia added: “Rigorous legal scholarship, shared across regions and generations, is how the promises of the Global Biodiversity Framework become durable national and local law.” Prof. Yeghishe Kirakosyan of Yerevan State University said that hosting the Day at COP17 strengthened links between Armenian, regional and global legal communities and helped build expertise that can serve Armenia’s nature and future generations.

 

Building a Community of Practice

The 2026 Legal Specialisation Course, held in person at Yerevan State University on 25 October, and the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability & Justice (DemEd Global) programme will carry the work forward by expanding access to training in sustainable development and biodiversity law for future leaders.

 

Looking Ahead

The Day underscored that the ambitions of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework depend on collaborative action, sound science and inclusive governance. Looking ahead to CBD COP18, BLGI and its partners will continue working across sectors to strengthen legal frameworks for biodiversity conservation.

 

Global Leaders Honoured at Biodiversity Law & Governance Day 2024 for Advancing Biodiversity and Environmental Governance

Cali, Colombia – The Biodiversity Law & Governance Day 2024, held on October 26 during COP16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, convened over 2,000 participants from 132 countries, showcasing global collaboration to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). In a landmark gathering of legal, policy, academic, and civil society leaders, the event addressed pressing biodiversity challenges through a series of expert panels, roundtables, and workshops, culminating in the prestigious Global Biodiversity Law & Governance Leadership Awards ceremony.

This year’s award recipients were celebrated for their exceptional contributions to biodiversity law, governance, and conservation worldwide:

• • Sir Partha Dasgupta, Frank Ramsey Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge, was honoured for his influential work on the economic value of biodiversity, transforming global perspectives on nature’s critical role in economic systems and policymaking.

• • Hon. Ivonne Higuero, Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), was recognized for her leadership in integrating biodiversity conservation within international trade, safeguarding endangered species, and advancing biodiversity-friendly policies globally.

• • Judge Prudence Tangham Galega, Former Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment, Cameroon, and Vice-Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), received the award for her contributions to environmental governance in Africa and her advocacy for science-based biodiversity policies.

These awards celebrate individuals whose work exemplifies commitment to biodiversity protection, sustainability, and equity, serving as inspiring models within environmental governance and policy.

Event Highlights and Themes The event brought together high-profile speakers, including Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (University of Cambridge), Prof. Patricia Kameri-Mbote (UNEP Law Division), and Prof. Jorge Cabrera (University of Costa Rica), who led discussions on advancing legal and policy frameworks essential to the GBF’s success. Key themes explored included:

• • Nature-Based Solutions and Sustainable Resource Use: Panels highlighted the role of nature-based solutions in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change, emphasizing integrated approaches to sustain both natural resources and community livelihoods.

• • Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Democracy: Workshops explored partnerships with Indigenous communities, acknowledging their pivotal role in biodiversity stewardship and environmental governance.

• • Biodiversity in Armed Conflicts and Ecocide Law: Roundtables discussed the intersections of biodiversity law with international humanitarian law, focusing on the protection of biodiversity in conflict zones and the emerging recognition of Ecocide Law as a tool for climate and biodiversity justice.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, co-chair of the BLGD-2024, noted, “Through this gathering, we witness the power of law and governance as essential pillars in achieving global biodiversity targets. It is our shared responsibility to equip communities and policymakers with the legal tools to drive sustainable change.” Prof. Jorge Cabrera, co-chair of the BLGD-2024, added, “Biodiversity Law & Governance Day is more than just an event – it is a call to action. Together, we are building a collaborative foundation to secure the world’s biodiversity for future generations.” Building a Community of Practice The Biodiversity Law & Governance Day also aimed to foster a robust global community of practice among academics, government officials, civil society leaders, and young advocates. Initiatives like the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability & Justice Programme will further this objective by expanding access to online courses on sustainable development law, creating pathways for knowledge sharing and capacity-building among future biodiversity law and policy leaders. Looking Ahead The event underscored that only through collaborative action, grounded in the latest scientific knowledge and inclusive governance approaches, can the GBF’s ambitious targets be achieved. Looking ahead to COP 17, the Global Biodiversity Law Initiative will continue its work with partners to foster multisectoral dialogue on how legal frameworks can effectively advance biodiversity conservation. The Biodiversity Law & Governance Day has established a vital platform for this ongoing collaboration. Exclusive Insights with Judge Prudence Galega at COP16 During COP16 in Cali, Colombia, the Biodiversity Law and Governance Initiative (BLGI) had the honor of capturing the inspiring story of Judge Prudence Galega, a global leader in environmental law and biodiversity governance. Her career, rooted in a passion for justice and the environment, continues to inspire action worldwide.

Full Interview:

Key Messages from Judge Galega:

• • Global Leadership in Biodiversity Governance: Insights into her impactful role on the international stage.

• • “Law as a Cross-Cutting Issue”: Judge Galega emphasizes the central role of law in biodiversity challenges.

• • Upbringing and Capacity Building: Learn how her childhood in the highland savannahs inspired her career.

A special thanks to Natalia Andrea López Acero, whose thoughtful interview brought Judge Galega’s incredible journey and insights to life. Her contributions to this project have been invaluable. Judge Galega’s story is a testament to the critical role of biodiversity law and governance in achieving global sustainability goals. The Biodiversity Law and Governance Initiative (BLGI) is proud to celebrate such leaders and amplify their voices.