Colombia and Armenia launch government coalition to accelerate species recovery
Colombia and Armenia launch government coalition to accelerate species recovery
Unveiled at the COP17 in Yerevan, the Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species (CARES) aligns country-level action with Target 4 of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
YEREVAN, Armenia, Oct. 16, 2026 — Colombia and Armenia today launched the Coalition of Action to Recover Endangered Species (CARES) with 17 founding participating governments: Armenia, Belize, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, United Kingdom, and Vanuatu.
“Protecting biodiversity means more than safeguarding ecosystems, it also means taking direct action to prevent extinctions and recover threatened species. In Colombia, efforts to breed and conserve the blue-billed curassow and the release of Orinoco crocodiles into their natural habitat demonstrate how conservation commitments can translate into concrete action on the ground. Through CARES, Colombia and Armenia are bringing countries together to share expertise, strengthen international cooperation and accelerate measurable progress toward species recovery. We have a shared responsibility to ensure that threatened species have a future,” said Fabio Alberto Arjona Hincapié, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development for the Republic of Colombia.
Countries agreed to Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in 2022. It calls for urgent action to halt human-caused extinctions of known threatened species and reduce extinction risk. CARES brings governments together to raise ambition and accelerate action toward that goal. Participating countries can draw on species recovery expertise to identify species needing targeted help beyond habitat protection and pursue measurable progress by 2030.
“As host of COP17, Armenia wants this conference to be known by the action it sets in motion. Through CARES, we are joining Colombia and a group of other countries in asking governments to give threatened species the focused attention their recovery requires,” said Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of the Republic of Armenia. “Target 4 is a commitment we have already made. Now we must identify national priorities and support the work that will bring those species back. Recovery is possible, and governments have a responsibility to help make it happen.”
Armenia and Colombia are serving as CARES co-chairs, building on their roles as the COP17 and COP16 presidencies. Reverse the Red, a global action partnership co-founded by the IUCN Species Survival Commission and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, will serve as the coalition’s secretariat, helping participating governments coordinate their work and draw on species recovery expertise.
“As we open the CBD COP 17 under the theme of 'Taking Action for Nature,' CARES is taking positive steps to support the efforts of Parties to halt extinctions and accelerate species recovery efforts,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity. “Action must be accelerated across government, business and society, and this coalition of governments is setting a great example by turning commitments into measurable progress for species in alignment with Target 4 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.“
The launch comes amid growing support for Target 4. At COP17, a coalition of philanthropic donors also announced the Species Recovery Alliance to support sustained recovery work for threatened species around the world. The Bezos Earth Fund and Re:wild’s Phoenix Species Project offers one example of that ambition. Launched in August with an initial $200 million commitment, the project supports recovery work for 100 Critically Endangered and Extinct in the Wild species across 30 countries.
"These 17 countries deserve enormous credit for stepping up and committing to measurable action to recover species that urgently need our help," said Leonardo DiCaprio, founder of Re:wild. "We have the power to change the future for thousands of species, and every country has a role to play in making that happen. Re:wild and our partners at Reverse the Red stand ready to help turn these commitments into conservation successes."
Additional Quotes
Dr. Kira Mileham and Dr. André Stadler, Co-Chairs of Reverse the Red:
“Halting extinctions and recovering species is possible. The IUCN SSC Reverse the Red Action Partnership is honored to be the secretariat for CARES. We look forward to providing support to these leading countries working to deliver GBF Target 4. Our network of non-state actors has extensive knowledge, experience, and passion for species recovery that can be used to help us collectively increase the pace and scale of impact-focused actions.”
Vivek Menon, Chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission:
“IUCN SSC, the world's largest species conservation network, is happy that 176 countries are coming forward to form CARES to spearhead species conservation and that Reverse the Red, an SSC Action Partnership, will provide secretarial support for this.”
Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General:
“We are happy that Re:wild, an IUCN member, is at the forefront of the new alliance, which is assisting these countries in their quest to save their biodiversity.”
Dr. Cristián Samper, Managing Director and Leader of Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund:
“Protecting habitat is essential, but for many threatened species, it is not enough. They need action tailored to the threats they face. CARES gives governments a way to identify those species and lead the work to recover them. Through the Phoenix Species Project, we’ve committed to supporting that kind of focused, long-term effort. I’m encouraged to see Colombia and Armenia bring more countries to this challenge.”
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About Reverse the Red
The Reverse the Red Action Partnership ignites strategic cooperation and action to ensure the survival of wild species and ecosystems and reverse the negative trend of biodiversity loss. Through a collaborative network, Reverse the Red brings together a diverse network of leading scientists, advocates, governments, and partners committed to using a data-driven and science-based approach to assess, plan, and act for species conservation. Reverse the Red provides the tools and expertise to empower governments, partners and local communities to set and reach species conservation targets and celebrates and amplifies successful achievements for species recovery. The Reverse the Red Governing Council member organisations are: Botanic Gardens Conservation International, IUCN Species Survival Commission, Re:wild, Toronto Zoo, World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and Zoological Society of London, with IUCN SSC and WAZA serving as co-chairs. Follow on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Bluesky, and Threads.
About the Bezos Earth Fund
The Bezos Earth Fund, guided by the belief that Earth is the best planet in this solar system, works to protect and restore the natural world. Working with partners around the globe, we are developing innovative solutions to ensure the planet remains a place we can – and want to – live on. Based in the United States, the organization is led by President and CEO Tom Taylor, under the direction of Chairman Jeff Bezos and Vice Chair Lauren Sánchez Bezos. To learn more, visit: bezosearthfund.org.
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CARES resources and additional information can be found at: www.reversethered.org/cares-launched-at-cop17
Reverse the Red Communications Contact: Megan Joyce | megan.joyce@reversethered.org