Portugal takes biodiversity funding and delivery to the COP17 talks in Armenia

Portugal's delegation to the UN biodiversity conference in Yerevan, led by Environment Secretary of State João Manuel Esteves, will push for faster delivery of commitments already made rather than new targets. The talks review progress on the 23 goals agreed in Montreal in 2022. Lisbon wants stronger funding mechanisms, including nature credits to draw in private money for conservation and restoration, with verifiable results. It also backs swift implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the goal of protecting 30% of land and sea by 2030. The EU puts the global yearly funding gap at 700 billion dollars. The conference ends on the 30th.