Prior to the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) 4th Plenary, the IPBES Secretariat will convene a two-day stakeholders meeting (Stakeholder Days), facilitated by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Future Earth and other volunteers, from 20 to 21 February 2016 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Malaysia.
The Stakeholder Days are open to all members, observers and stakeholders of IPBES, and are organized for a wide range of interested organizations to:
- Provide an opportunity to better understand IPBES activities and the way IPBES works;
- Discuss stakeholders’ engagement (IPBES Decision IPBES-3/4) with a focus on the ways and means to implement an engagement strategy to support the IPBES work programme;
- Discuss the structure and functioning of the stakeholders network;
- Exchange views on different topics listed on the IPBES-4 agenda, including an exchange of views with representatives of the IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel;
- Develop a collective statement to be delivered at the opening of the IPBES plenary session on behalf of the participant stakeholders; and
- Coordinate action to maximize stakeholder input into the IPBES-4 Plenary.
Sustainable use of biodiversity is fundamental to the well-being of current and future generations, yet the depletion and degradation of natural resources is increasingly destroying the life support systems on which we depend i.e. food reserves, fuel, shelter, medicine, drinking water and the surrounding natural environment. How are national governments and experts working together through IPBES to address these issues? How can you contribute as an individual or organisation to the IPBES process enriching assessment outcomes and implementing recommendations? These and many similar questions will be discussed during the Stakeholder Days.
A separate registration process, from the IPBES Plenary, is required to attend the Stakeholder Days. Stakeholders – including countries delegates - who want to participate are kindly requested to register here before the 5th February 2016 or to contact the IPBES-4 Stakeholder Days project team via email for more information. Please note there is no financial support available, however an invitation letter can be provided for visa purposes.
The event will be held in English without translation facilities. To assist us with delivering participants the most relevant and up-to-date information on IPBES, and to open opportunity for constructive discussion on issues of interest to stakeholders, we invite you to review the meeting draft agenda and send us your comments by 5 February 2016.