Delegates have accused Saudi Arabia, Russia, Argentina and Brazil of resisting stronger recognition of research meant to guide global nature policy at COP17, putting the role of science in summit decisions under scrutiny, AFP reported.
The debate concerns two assessments by the U.N.-backed IPBES biodiversity panel. The work examines connections between damage to nature, climate change and economic activity, AFP reported. The negotiations involve nearly 200 nations seeking to settle how the research will inform conservation efforts. Delegates are weighing whether a draft agreement should “welcome” the findings or “take note” of them. AFP said the latter wording carries less force in U.N. negotiations.
A French government delegate told AFP the four countries were frustrating progress, saying some governments resisted recognition of the findings. A negotiator from another developed country said Russia, Saudi Arabia and Argentina were coordinating efforts to dilute the assessments or use them in bargaining on separate issues. The negotiator described Brazil as involved to a lesser extent. Both officials spoke anonymously because talks were underway.
Researchers and civil society activists at COP17 have separately issued a joint statement expressing concern about the negotiations, AFP reported.
AFP placed the dispute within recurring conflicts in consensus-based environmental negotiations, including arguments over fossil fuels, plastic pollution and other environmental harms. The agency said disputes over climate research have persisted for years. It cited a 2025 fight over fossil fuels that derailed a major summary of the U.N.’s Global Environment Outlook.
The summit is scheduled to close Friday, Oct. 30. AFP reported that the proposed science wording and other outstanding matters remained unresolved. IPBES chair David Obura declined to comment while negotiations continued.
