Afghanistan

1. Overview

Afghanistan's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (revised 2024), prepared by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan for submission to the CBD Secretariat prior to COP16, provides direction for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use from 2024 to 2030 [§5]. It revises the country's 2014 NBSAP. Afghanistan ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2002 [§5].

The NBSAP sets 17 national commitments* mapped to 17 of the 23 GBF Targets, supported by 43 actions [§5]. Six GBF Targets (7, 11, 15, 17, 18, and 23) are explicitly excluded with stated justifications. Of the four GBF Goals, only Goals A and B are adopted at the national level [§28]. The commitments are organised into three development portfolios** linking biodiversity conservation to the broader development agenda: Governance, Legislation, and Planning; Biodiversity Conservation and Direct Benefit-Sharing; and Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land Use [§65–73].

The estimated cost of full implementation is $80–110 million, with the NBSAP stating that support "will fall largely on the international community" given Afghanistan's limited financial resources [§5, §28]. If resources are constrained, Targets 1–5 are designated for first action [§28]. Start dates are undetermined — "initiation of work will depend upon funding availability" [§74].

Development of the NBSAP was informed by six consultation workshops across five regional cities in 2021 with 669 attendees, followed by a review workshop hosted by the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) in May 2023 [§5].

*Afghanistan's NBSAP uses "targets" to label its headline pledges, adopting the GBF target numbering but reframing each as a national commitment adapted to local conditions; five GBF Targets are explicitly excluded. This page uses "national commitment" to avoid confusion with the 23 GBF Targets.

**Afghanistan groups its national commitments into three "development portfolios" linking biodiversity to the broader development agenda. This page uses "instrument" where referring to these groupings.

Afghanistan's NBSAP is one of the most selectively adapted in the GBF-aligned corpus: 17 of 23 targets addressed, a 10% protected area target instead of 30%, implementation costed at $80–110 million and almost entirely donor-dependent, and conditional start dates tied to funding availability.

Sources:

• §5 — Acknowledgements > Executive Summary
• §28 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Goal D
• §65–73 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Target 23 / Development Portfolios
• §74 — Annex 1. Summary of Goals, Targets, Headline Indicators, Actions

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2. Ecological Context

Afghanistan is a largely arid, mountainous country with ecoregions ranging from high-altitude mountains to xeric deserts to monsoon forests [§13]. The World Wildlife Fund classifies 17 terrestrial ecoregions within the country: two Stable/Intact (1.0% of country area), nine Vulnerable (60.5%), and five Critical/Endangered (37.6%) [§14]. The extreme northeast falls within the Mountains of Central Asia Biodiversity Hotspot [§13].

The country is home to 140 native mammal species, 448 bird species, 107 reptiles, 11 amphibians, 85 fish species, and an estimated 5,000 vascular plant species, of which approximately 1,500 (30%) are endemic [§13]. Six reptile species, eight fish species, and one amphibian are also endemic. Knowledge of less conspicuous taxa remains poor: arthropod diversity is estimated in the tens of thousands, and the NBSAP states "we know very little about genetic diversity in Afghanistan's wild species" [§12, §13]. Sixty-five species are listed in the three IUCN Red List threatened categories: 9 Critically Endangered, 17 Endangered, and 39 Vulnerable [§21]. The Paghman mountain salamander (Afghanodon mustersi), endemic to Afghanistan, is Critically Endangered [§87].

The NBSAP identifies three major threats: loss and degradation of natural ecosystems, climate change effects, and overexploitation of living resources [§15]. Forty-five years of instability and rapid population growth — from 9 million in 1960 to an estimated 34–40 million — have amplified each [§15]. Eastern forest cover declined from approximately 3,600 km² in the 1970s to 718 km² in 2018, a loss of roughly 80% [§14]. Diclofenac poisoning through treated livestock carcasses has caused a greater than 90% decline in three vulture species across South Asia since the 1990s [§20]. Temperature projections suggest increases of 1.4–2.0°C by 2050, with Afghanistan identified as one of the world's 11 countries most acutely affected by climate change [§17].

Sources:

• §12 — List of Tables > Genetic Diversity
• §13 — List of Tables > Species Diversity
• §14 — List of Tables > Ecosystem Diversity
• §15 — List of Tables > Major Threats to Afghanistan Biodiversity
• §17 — List of Tables > Climate Change
• §20 — List of Tables > Pollution
• §21 — List of Tables > Threatened Species
• §87 — Annex 3. Global Status of Afghanistan Species Listed by the IUCN Red List

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3. National Commitments and GBF Alignment

Afghanistan's 17 national commitments are organised below by the NBSAP's three development portfolios, plus cross-cutting commitments. Of the 17, two are classified as measurable commitments and 15 as directional aspirations. Six GBF Targets are explicitly excluded (see end of section).

Portfolio 1 — Governance, Legislation, and Planning

Target 1 — Spatial planning. Afghanistan commits to biodiversity-inclusive land-use planning in all protected areas and their buffer zones to ensure no further loss in ecosystems of high ecological integrity; planning elsewhere "will be opportunistic" [§29]. Actions include land reform, enactment of rangeland law and protected area regulations, and development of OECM criteria [§66]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — "all protected areas" provides scope but no quantitative threshold for ecological integrity, and planning beyond PAs is explicitly opportunistic.

Target 5 — Sustainable harvest and trade. Afghanistan commits to ensuring that the harvesting, trade, and use of wild species is sustainable and legal [§36]. Eight actions — the most of any target — include regulating hunting by 2025, establishing a CITES office by 2026, training border officials by 2028, and eliminating hunting by Afghan Armed Forces personnel [§67, §74]. Named wild plant species requiring trade monitoring include hing (Asafoetida), licorice, and medicinal plants [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — actions are defined by process outputs (regulations enacted, CITES office established) rather than outcome thresholds.

Target 12 — Urban green and blue spaces. Afghanistan commits to increasing urban green and blue spaces through planting native trees in larger cities and exploring restoration of urban water bodies [§47, §48]. Satellite monitoring (HUGSI) is proposed for tracking greenness [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — no area or percentage target is set.

Target 14 — Mainstreaming. Afghanistan commits to integrating biodiversity into policies, regulations, development processes, and environmental impact assessments at all levels [§50]. Actions include Biodiversity Roundtables across ministries and implementation of EIA procedures under existing Environment Law [§53, §74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — process-based actions without measurable mainstreaming thresholds.

Portfolio 2 — Biodiversity Conservation and Direct Benefit-Sharing

Target 3 — Protected areas. Afghanistan sets a national target of at least 10% of the country in protected areas or OECMs [§33]. Nine protected areas currently total approximately 27,275 km² (4.2% of the country); the plan calls for adding at least 65,000 km² [§33]. None of the nine existing PAs have been formally gazetted; only Band-e-Amir (Presidential Decree) and Wakhan (Ministerial Council Approval) have been established in law [§23]. Zonation spatial analysis has identified priority areas for new PAs [§33]. Measurability: Measurable commitment — 10% threshold explicitly stated with quantified baseline and addition target.

Target 4 — Species recovery. Afghanistan commits to maintaining population numbers of targeted species and documenting baseline genetic diversity [§35]. Action 4.3 — banning the import and sale of veterinary diclofenac to protect vultures — carries a 2024 deadline, the earliest of any action in the NBSAP [§36]. Genetic diversity baselines are required for a minimum of three priority species [§74]. The Afghanistan Wildlife Executive Committee (AWEC) maintains a protected species list of 149 species [§21]. Measurability: Directional aspiration overall — "maintain population numbers" lacks quantified baselines, though the diclofenac ban is a discrete, verifiable commitment.

Target 9 — Wild species use. Afghanistan commits to ensuring benefits from wild species for nutrition, livelihoods, and food security, especially for the most vulnerable [§42]. Actions are entirely cross-referenced to Targets 1, 2, and 3; both headline indicators are explicitly not addressed [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration.

Target 13 — Genetic resources and ABS. A single action promotes technical transfer of genetic knowledge to government staff and academic institutions [§48, §74]. The NBSAP states Afghanistan lacks data on genetic resources and defers substantive engagement to a post-2030 NBSAP [§28]. Measurability: Directional aspiration.

Portfolio 3 — Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Land Use

Target 2 — Ecosystem restoration. Afghanistan commits to restoring degraded habitat in protected areas and specific ecosystems [§31]. Five actions address shrub harvest reduction, grazing impact, lalmi (rainfed cropland) conversion, community tree planting, and water supply for a minimum of three sizable wetlands [§33, §71, §74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — direction is clear but no area targets or percentage restoration goals are set, apart from the three-wetland minimum.

Target 6 — Invasive alien species. A single action commits Afghanistan to continuing control of alien species affecting agricultural production [§38, §39]. Annex 6 catalogues 70 alien species present in the country. The headline indicator (rate of IAS establishment) is not addressed [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration.

Target 8 — Climate and biodiversity. Afghanistan commits to minimising climate change impacts on biodiversity through ecosystem-based approaches [§40]. The strategy is entirely cross-referenced to Targets 1, 2, and 3 [§72]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — no standalone metrics.

Target 10 — Sustainable agriculture and forestry. Afghanistan commits to sustainable management of all agricultural areas [§44]. Actions focus on adapting livestock husbandry in protected areas and buffer zones, introducing forest management approaches, and halting illegal logging [§46, §73]. The indicator for forest cover is area of closed natural forest (>30% cover) stable or increasing [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — the commitment is to introduce management approaches rather than achieve specific outcomes.

Cross-Cutting Commitments

Target 16 — Sustainable consumption. The single action is to "explore Afghan-relevant approaches to incentivise people to make sustainable choices" [§55, §56]. Measurability: Directional aspiration — explicitly exploratory.

Target 19 — Financial resources. Afghanistan commits to increasing financial resources from all sources to implement the NBSAP [§58]. Full treatment of finance appears in Section 6. Measurability: Directional aspiration.

Target 20 — Capacity and technology. A single action commits to ensuring opportunities for capacity building and technology transfer are "open, transparent and clearly communicated" [§60, §74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration.

Target 21 — Knowledge and awareness. Afghanistan commits to ensuring the scientific and traditional knowledge base for biodiversity management is available and communicated [§62]. A digital repository is targeted for 2027; awareness-raising channels include schools, mosques, and media, with the Ministry of Haj and Religious Affairs as a cooperator [§74]. Measurability: Directional aspiration overall, though the digital repository is a measurable output.

Target 22 — Inclusive participation. All protected areas are to have PA committees with local people in the majority; all OECMs are to be developed "with the full knowledge, cooperation, and agreement of local people" [§64, §65]. Measurability: Measurable commitment — binary, verifiable conditions applied to all PAs and OECMs.

Excluded GBF Targets

The NBSAP explicitly excludes six GBF Targets with stated justifications:

GBF Target	Stated justification
Target 7 — Pollution reduction	"It is not clear that pollution is a serious threat to Afghanistan's biodiversity. [...] Pesticide and fertilizer use is relatively minor" [§39]
Target 11 — Ecosystem services (NbS)	Addressed through Target 2's promotion of ecosystem resilience [§46]
Target 15 — Business disclosure	Not addressed [§74]
Target 17 — Biosafety	"Biotechnology is not a significant threat to Afghanistan relative to other more pressing issues" [§56]
Target 18 — Harmful subsidies	"Subsidies harmful to biodiversity are few in Afghanistan" [§57]
Target 23 — Gender equality	"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan considers participation of women in society in accordance with the Islamic laws (Sharia)" [§65]

Sources:

• §21 — List of Tables > Threatened Species
• §23 — List of Tables > Protected Areas
• §28 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Goal D
• §29–§65 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Targets 1–23
• §66–§74 — Development Portfolios and Annex 1

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4. Delivery Architecture

Institutional responsibilities

The National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) serve as the two principal executing agencies [§74]. The NBSAP specifies that "responsibility" denotes the entity that "ensures that the work is initiated and completed" rather than necessarily undertaking the work itself [§74]. Stakeholder consultation participants ranked MAIL highest among sectors for biodiversity conservation, followed by NEPA [§83].

Additional responsible entities include the Ministry of Interior (firearms regulation, illegal harvest control), Ministry of Finance (CITES permitting, international funding tracking), Ministry of Justice (Taqnin) (hunting, rangeland, and protected area legislation), Ministry of National Defence (eliminating hunting by armed forces personnel), Ministry of Energy and Water (urban water body restoration), and municipal development departments (urban green spaces) [§74]. A network of cooperators — including NGOs, INGOs, academia, the Academy of Science, and Kabul University — is identified for each action [§74].

Key legislation and instruments

The primary conservation instrument is the Protected Species List of Afghanistan, designated by NEPA through four rounds (2008, 2009, 2010, 2015), comprising over 110 species across seven taxonomic groups: approximately 70 mammals, over 40 birds, 4 reptiles, 1 amphibian, 2 fish, 1 insect, and 8 plants [§93]. Legislative actions referenced across national commitments include enactment of rangeland law, protected area regulations, hunting law, and CITES enforcement procedures. The existing Environment Law (2007) and Environmental Impact Regulations provide the framework for EIA implementation under Target 14 [§74].

Prioritisation

Targets 1–5 (spatial planning, ecosystem restoration, protected areas, species recovery, sustainable harvest) are designated for first action as they "will ensure the largest and most immediate results" [§28]. Completion dates for individual actions range from 2024 (diclofenac ban) through 2030, with the majority set at 2030. Start dates are conditional — "initiation of work will depend upon funding availability" [§74].

Sources:

• §28 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Goal D
• §74 — Annex 1
• §83 — Stakeholders' Consultations > Actors of biodiversity conservation
• §93 — Annex 5. Protected Species List of Afghanistan

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4a. Conflict, Capacity, and Conditional Implementation

Afghanistan's 45 years of instability is not incidental context — it is the structuring logic of the NBSAP. The selective adoption of GBF Targets, the 10% (not 30%) protected area target, the donor-dependent financing, the conditional start dates, and the explicit exclusion of targets deemed impractical all flow from this reality.

The NBSAP identifies the country's natural environment as under increasing threat from prolonged instability and a rapidly growing population [§5]. The Executive Summary describes the plan as "a practical plan of action reflecting realities in Afghanistan and capable of being fully implemented by 2030 if sufficient international financial and technical resources can be provided" [§5]. The conditional framing extends throughout: start dates are undetermined because "initiation of work will depend upon funding availability" [§74]; the $80–110 million implementation cost is presented with the acknowledgement that support "will fall largely on the international community" [§5, §28].

This conditionality shapes the plan's architecture. Goal D — urging flow of financial resources from richer nations to least developed nations — is characterised as "a global goal" rather than a national one, with Afghanistan positioned as a recipient: "from richer nations to least developed nations, such as Afghanistan" [§28]. Five GBF Targets are excluded as impractical. The remaining 17 national commitments include a built-in prioritisation hierarchy directing resources to Targets 1–5 first if funding is constrained [§28].

Consultation data reflects this context. Workshop respondents identified the United Nations (65%), governmental budget (64%), and the World Bank (55%) as expected funding sources [§84]. Only 2.2% of respondents thought funding should come exclusively from the government budget [§84]. None of the nine existing protected areas have been formally gazetted, and implementation mechanisms rely heavily on international technical cooperation [§23, §74].

Sources:

• §5 — Acknowledgements > Executive Summary
• §23 — List of Tables > Protected Areas
• §28 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Goal D
• §74 — Annex 1
• §84 — Stakeholders' Consultations > Sources of funding

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5. Monitoring and Accountability

Oversight

NEPA and MAIL hold monitoring responsibilities for most actions and headline indicators [§74]. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for tracking international public funding including official development assistance [§74].

Monitoring framework

The NBSAP distinguishes between CBD Headline Indicators (H-prefixed) and Afghanistan-specific action indicators [§74]. CBD headline indicators are expected to provide "consistent summaries of performance at the global scale," though Afghanistan states it will not address all of them, and several remain undeveloped by the CBD [§74]. Afghanistan-specific indicators are predominantly qualitative or output-based. Examples include: "all protected area management plans including land-use planning" (Action 1.1), "shrub cover decreased in degraded areas of protected areas as determined by remote sensing and field surveys" (Action 2.1), and "increasing greenness of major cities using satellite imagery such as HUGSI" (Action 12.1) [§74]. For species monitoring, the Red List Index serves as the headline indicator for Target 4, with assessment dates of 2025 and 2030 [§74].

Several headline indicators are excluded as not applicable — including H5.1 (fish stocks) and H7.1 (coastal eutrophication), reflecting Afghanistan's landlocked geography — or as not yet developed by the CBD [§74].

Stakeholder consultation

The NBSAP was informed by six regional workshops held between January and May 2021 across 27 of 34 provinces, with 669 participants (483 men, 77 women, 109 youth of whom 51 were female) [§75]. Approximately 58% of respondents indicated that stakeholders from government, community associations, academia, private sector, civil society, women, and youth should participate in conservation decision-making; only 1.5% believed the national government alone should hold authority [§85].

Sources:

• §74 — Annex 1
• §75 — Annex 2. Summary of Stakeholders' Consultations
• §85 — Stakeholders' Consultations > Biodiversity conservation decision-making

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6. Finance and Resource Mobilisation

The NBSAP estimates total implementation cost at $80–110 million for 2024–2030 [§28]. The document states that Afghanistan's financial resources are "currently limited" and that support "will fall largely on the international community" [§5, §28].

Afghanistan's national commitment on GBF Target 19 (finance mobilisation) consists of a single action: ensuring that "opportunities for biodiversity funding are open, transparent and clearly communicated" [§59]. The Ministry of Finance is responsible for tracking international public funding (ODA); NEPA and MAIL track domestic public funding, both with 2030 completion dates [§74]. The headline indicator for private funding (H19.3) is noted as undeveloped by the CBD and is not addressed [§74].

The NBSAP process itself was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through UNEP, with civil society consultations funded by the European Union through the OMAID project [§4].

GBF Target 18 (harmful subsidies) is not addressed, with the stated justification that "subsidies harmful to biodiversity are few in Afghanistan" [§57]. Goal D (financial flows and capacity-building) is characterised as a global-level goal rather than a national one [§28].

The NBSAP contains no domestic budget allocations, named national funding instruments, dedicated biodiversity funds, or private-sector financing mechanisms.

Sources:

• §4 — Acknowledgements
• §5 — Acknowledgements > Executive Summary
• §28 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Goal D
• §57 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Target 18
• §59 — The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework > Action 19.1
• §74 — Annex 1

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7. GBF Target Coverage

Target 1: Spatial planning — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to biodiversity-inclusive land-use planning in all protected areas and their buffer zones; planning elsewhere is described as "opportunistic." Actions include land reform, enactment of rangeland law and protected area regulations, enhanced EIA capacity, and development of OECM criteria and legislation. MAIL is responsible, with completion between 2025 and 2030. Headline indicators include the Red List of Ecosystems, extent of natural ecosystems, and percent of land covered by biodiversity-inclusive spatial plans. Target 1 is among the five highest-priority targets designated for first action if resources are limited.

Target 2: Ecosystem restoration — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to restoring degraded habitat in protected areas and specific ecosystems. Five actions address shrub harvest reduction, livestock grazing impacts on grasslands, lalmi (rainfed cropland) conversion, community tree planting, and water supply for a minimum of three sizable wetlands. Indicators include shrub and grass cover monitored by remote sensing and field surveys, reporting on lalmi reduction, and increase in forest cover. MAIL is responsible for all actions with completion dates between 2025 and 2030.

Target 3: Protected areas (30x30) — Addressed

Afghanistan sets a target of at least 10% of the country in protected areas or OECMs. Nine PAs currently total approximately 27,275 km² (4.2%); the plan calls for adding at least 65,000 km². None of the existing PAs have been formally gazetted. Actions include establishing PAs in law, developing management plans, evaluating management effectiveness, and revising the national PA system plan. Zonation spatial analysis has identified priority areas for new PAs.

Target 4: Species recovery — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to maintaining population numbers of targeted species and documenting baseline genetic diversity. The AWEC protected species list covers 149 species. Action 4.3 — banning veterinary diclofenac to protect vultures — carries a 2024 deadline, the earliest in the NBSAP. Genetic diversity baselines are required for a minimum of three priority species. The Red List Index and proportion of populations with effective population size >500 serve as headline indicators.

Target 5: Sustainable harvest — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to ensuring sustainable and legal harvesting, trade, and use of wild species through eight actions — the most of any target. These include hunting regulation (2025), CITES office establishment (2026), border official training for wildlife trafficking interception (2028), and elimination of hunting by Afghan Armed Forces personnel. Trade in hing (Asafoetida), licorice, and medicinal plants is to be monitored. Responsible entities include NEPA, Ministry of Interior, and Ministry of National Defence.

Target 6: Invasive alien species — Addressed

A single action commits Afghanistan to continuing control of alien species affecting agricultural production, with NEPA and MAIL jointly responsible and annual reporting. The NBSAP catalogues 70 alien species in Annex 6. The headline indicator (rate of IAS establishment) is not addressed.

Target 7: Pollution reduction — Mentioned

Afghanistan explicitly excludes Target 7, stating it is "not clear that pollution is a serious threat to Afghanistan's biodiversity" and that pesticide/fertiliser use is relatively minor. The NBSAP discusses diclofenac-related vulture decline, which is addressed under Target 4 rather than as a pollution target.

Target 8: Climate and biodiversity — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to minimising climate change impacts on biodiversity through ecosystem-based approaches. The strategy is entirely cross-referenced to Targets 1, 2, and 3. The portfolio elaborates four measures: reducing biodiversity exposure to climate catastrophes, developing climate-resilient food production, promoting crop and livestock diversity, and maintaining intact riparian habitats. Afghanistan is identified as one of 11 countries most acutely affected by climate change.

Target 9: Wild species use — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to ensuring benefits from wild species for nutrition, food security, medicines, and livelihoods. Actions are entirely cross-referenced to Targets 1, 2, and 3. Both headline indicators (H9.1 and H9.2) are explicitly not addressed.

Target 10: Agriculture / forestry — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to sustainable management of agricultural areas. Actions focus on adapting livestock husbandry in protected areas and buffer zones, and introducing forest management approaches including halting illegal logging. The indicator for forest management is area of closed natural forest (>30% cover) stable or increasing. The portfolio includes seed bank support and micro-loans to producers.

Target 11: Ecosystem services (NbS) — Mentioned

Afghanistan explicitly excludes Target 11, stating that Target 2 addresses this issue through promotion of ecosystem resilience.

Target 12: Urban biodiversity — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to increasing urban green and blue spaces. Actions include planting native trees in larger cities and exploring restoration of urban water bodies. Satellite monitoring (HUGSI) is proposed for tracking city greenness. Municipalities and the Ministry of Energy and Water are responsible. Consultation found 98% of respondents wanted more green spaces in their areas.

Target 13: Genetic resources / ABS — Addressed

A single action promotes technical transfer of genetic knowledge, technology, and benefit-sharing to government staff and academic institutions. The NBSAP notes that Afghanistan lacks data and capacity on genetic resources and defers substantive engagement to a post-2030 NBSAP. Goal C (benefit-sharing) is excluded at the goal level.

Target 14: Mainstreaming — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to integrating biodiversity into policies, regulations, and EIAs at all levels. Three actions include Biodiversity Roundtables across ministries, implementation of EIA approval procedures under existing Environment Law and Environmental Impact Regulations, and enactment of legislation on hunting, rangeland, and protected areas. NEPA is responsible for all actions.

Target 15: Business disclosure — Not identified

Content addressing GBF Target 15 was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 16: Sustainable consumption — Addressed

A single action commits Afghanistan to "explore Afghan-relevant approaches to incentivise people to make sustainable choices." The action is explicitly exploratory, with NEPA responsible and a 2030 completion date.

Target 17: Biosafety — Not identified

Content addressing GBF Target 17 was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 18: Harmful subsidies — Not identified

Content addressing GBF Target 18 was not identified in this NBSAP.

Target 19: Finance mobilisation — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to increasing financial resources from all sources to implement the NBSAP, estimated at $80–110 million. The single action focuses on ensuring transparency of funding opportunities. International public funding (ODA) and domestic public funding are tracked as headline indicators. Private funding (H19.3) is not addressed.

Target 20: Capacity and technology — Addressed

A single action commits Afghanistan to ensuring that opportunities for capacity building, technology transfer, and scientific cooperation are "open, transparent and clearly communicated." The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Higher Education are named as cooperators.

Target 21: Data and information — Addressed

Afghanistan commits to making scientific and traditional knowledge available for biodiversity management. A digital repository is targeted for 2027. Awareness-raising is to be conducted through schools, mosques, and media, with the Ministry of Haj and Religious Affairs as a cooperator — reflecting a governance approach tailored to Afghanistan's institutional landscape.

Target 22: Inclusive participation — Addressed

All protected areas are to have PA committees with local people in the majority. All OECMs are to be developed with the "full knowledge, cooperation, and agreement of local people." MAIL is responsible with a 2030 completion date. The NBSAP's own consultation process included 669 participants across 27 of 34 provinces.

Target 23: Gender equality — Mentioned

Afghanistan explicitly excludes Target 23, referencing Sharia law. Consultation workshops included 77 women among 669 total participants, and respondents cited multiple reasons for women's involvement in conservation, but no gender-specific targets, actions, or indicators are established.