Nearly 200 countries have adopted agreements at the UN biodiversity summit, COP17, in Armenia’s capital Yerevan, aiming to accelerate efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

The agreements followed nearly two weeks of intense negotiations, with delegates approving key documents after talks extended beyond the scheduled closing time.

The countries reaffirmed their commitment to the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which includes protecting 30 percent of the world’s land and oceans, reducing pollution and increasing conservation funding. However, progress remains slow, with fewer than half of assessed national targets on track.

Negotiators also debated harmful subsidies, conservation financing and scientific assessments. The world faces an estimated annual biodiversity funding gap of $700 billion, while disagreements persisted over how wealthy emerging economies should contribute.

Environmental groups welcomed the agreement but warned that stronger action is urgently needed to meet the 2030 targets.

Meanwhile, Ecuador was selected to host the next biodiversity summit, COP18, in 2028, securing 55 votes against Panama’s 53.