Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU) was represented at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Asst. Prof. Dr. Burak Ali Çiçek, Chair of the EMU Department of Biological Sciences, Director of the Underwater Research and Imaging Center, and Member of Türkiye’s COP31 Advisory Board, participated as a speaker in an international panel organized as part of the conference. The conference, which commenced on 16 October 2026, was scheduled to be completed on Friday, 30 October 2026.

Progress towards Global Biodiversity Targets under Review

One of the key agenda items of the conference is the first global review of the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022. Within this context, the conference focuses on assessing the progress made towards the 23 global targets that countries have committed to achieving by 2030, as well as identifying gaps and challenges in their implementation. Discussions also address the financial resources and scientific research required to support biodiversity conservation.

Bringing together government representatives, international organizations, scientists, financial institutions, private sector stakeholders, and civil society representatives, COP17 aims to transform global environmental policies into concrete actions.

Biodiversity Conservation in Industrial Investment and Financing Processes Discussed

As part of COP17’s Green Zone activities, a panel titled “From Commitments to Action: Achieving Biodiversity Targets in High-Impact Sectors” was held on 23 October 2026. The panel explored ways to safeguard biodiversity during the planning and financing of industrial investments, while also evaluating the steps necessary to translate international commitments to nature conservation into concrete action.

Moderated by Günal Özenirler from 2U1K Consulting, the panel featured scientific insights and assessments from Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek. Akın Yalçın from Limak Çimento shared perspectives from the industrial sector, while James Raymond from UK-based Earth Active Ltd. provided insights from the environmental consultancy sector.

Importance of Scientific Knowledge in Investment Decisions Emphasized

Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek, who also serves as a member of Türkiye’s COP31 Advisory Board, emphasized that biodiversity cannot be assessed solely on the basis of the number of species present in a particular area. He highlighted the importance of examining interactions among species, natural habitats, and the functioning of ecosystems. He further stressed the need to integrate scientific research findings more effectively into investment and financing decisions.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek also underlined that environmental assessments should not be limited to the impacts of individual projects. He noted that the cumulative effects of multiple investments, pollution, habitat fragmentation, and climate change on the natural environment should be evaluated collectively. In this regard, he emphasized the need for reliable scientific data and clearly defined conservation targets with measurable outcomes.

“Science Must Also Shape Development Itself”

Stressing that industrial activities should not only minimize environmental damage but also contribute to the restoration of nature, Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek provided examples involving facilities located in coastal areas. He highlighted the importance of protecting seagrass meadows, maintaining natural water circulation, and preventing pollutants from entering the marine environment.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek further underlined efforts to restore damaged ecosystems should not be used to justify the destruction of existing natural habitats. Underscoring the importance of incorporating scientific knowledge into the early stages of investment and planning processes, Asst. Prof. Dr. Çiçek concluded his speech with the following remarks: “Science must not merely identify the environmental consequences of development; it must also shape development itself.”