The Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework held the first part of its third meeting virtually from 23 August to 3 September 2021. The Working Group heard reports on progress since its second meeting, considered the issue of digital sequence information on genetic resources and undertook a text-based review of the first draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The outcomes of the first part of the meeting will be further considered by the Working Group at its second part, due to be held in-person in early 2022.