IPBES Towards full operationalisation

Outline of the briefing 1.Process, mandates and basis for the plenary meeting on IPBES 2.Agenda and documentation 3.Links to related initiatives and other IPBES planning issues

What is IPBES? ‘Intergovernmental science-policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.’ A two-way interface between the scientific community and policy makers that aims to build capacity for and strengthen the use of science in policy making. IPBES has multiple stakeholders and will have multiple users.

Process, mandates and basis for the two sessions

Three intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meetings Building on the MA and the IMoSEB consultations Three intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder meetings (Malaysia 2008, Kenya 2009, Republic of Korea 2010) have been held to discuss ways to strengthen the science policy interface. First two meetings: identification of needs and gaps Busan (June 2010), governments decided that IPBES should be established.

The Busan outcome: What has been agreed? Four main functions of IPBES: Knowledge generation Regular and timely assessments Support policy formulation and implementation Capacity building

These include: Independent intergovernmental body; Scientifically independent, credible, relevant and legitimate; Policy-relevant but not policy-prescriptive; Recognise regional contexts and needs; Full and effective participation of developing countries; Interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach; Respect the contribution of indigenous and local knowledge; Address terrestrial, marine and inland water biodiversity and ecosystem services and their interactions. The Busan outcome: key principles

Mandates for the plenary meeting UNGA 65/162: 17. …requests UNEP, without prejudice to the final institutional arrangements for IPBES and in consultation with all relevant organizations and bodies, in order to fully operationalise the platform, to convene a plenary meeting providing for the full and effective participation of all Member States, in particular representatives from developing countries, to determine modalities and institutional arrangements for the platform at the earliest possible opportunity.

Mandates for the plenary meeting UNEP GC 26 Decision 4: 2. Decides to, based on the request by [UNGA], without prejudice to the final institutional arrangements of IPBES and in consultation with all relevant organizations and bodies, in order to fully operationalise the Platform, to convene a plenary meeting providing for the full and effective participation of all Member States, in particular representatives from developing countries, to determine modalities and institutional arrangements for the Platform at the earliest opportunity.

Agenda for the two sessions

Agenda and schedule 1 st session: 3-7 October 2011, Nairobi 112 Governements, 6 MEAs, more than 50 observers Great progress made on modalities and institutional arrangements for the platform 2d session: April, Panama City Modalities and institutional arrangements for the platform to be finalised

1.Institutional arrangements and modalities for IPBES Functions and operating principles of IPBES Functions and structures of IPBES bodies Rules of procedure 2. Process and criteria for selection of host institution(s) and location for the platform’s secretariat agreed 3. Initial consideration of the IPBES work programme 4. Discussion on the legal basis for the establishment of IPBES Outcome of the 1st session

Intersessional processes 1. Work programme Comments received on the draft integrated work have been be uploaded on the IPBES website 2. Rules of Procedures Comments received on rules of procedure and related procedures have been uploaded on the IPBES website 3. Bidding for the host institution(s) and country/ies of the IPBES Secretariat Bids received by the Chair of the first session uploaded on the website and executive summaries to be translated and uploaded

IPBES work programme: integrated and in detail Governance issues Rules and procedures Decisions on IPBES institutional and physical hosting arrangements ( presentations and decisions) Budget Legal basis Provisional Agenda: 2 nd session

Stakeholdersengagement and communication

IPBES Stakeholders 3 intergovernmental and multi-stakeholders meetings Busan outcome: IPBES should “collaborate with existing initiatives” and “encourage and take into account inputs and suggestions made by relevant stakeholders” UNGA: consultation with all relevant organisations UNEP GC: cooperation with UNESCO, FAO and UNDP

IPBES Stakeholders – who are they? A wide range of stakeholders involved in the fields of biodiversity conservation, natural resources management and development, at all levels: Decision-makers in Government UN bodies : UNEP, UNESCO, FAO, UNDP Secretariats and Chairs of Scientific Advisory Bodies of MEAs International Scientific community IGOs and NGOs Private sector, indigenous people, farmer’s associations, etc. Potential donors; General public and media

Stakeholders-end users Better understanding of policy makers’ needs Platform for airing their views and perspectives Information, tools and methodologies emanating from IPBES can also respond to their need for information and inform their work in terms of good practices

Stakeholders-contributors They will contribute to the legitimacy, saliency, credibility and independence of the platform and ensure buy-in and maximised impact Sources for academic and non-academic data on biodiversity and ecosystem services, under the conditions of admittance decided Concerned by the work programme of the platform Provide perspective to policy makers from their experience at all levels

Stakeholder engagement A dedicated stakeholder engagement strategy UNEP Interdivisional Group UN agencies – UNEP, FAO, UNDP and UNESCO Plenary Planning Group Stakeholder days (2 Oct & 15 April 2012) Government Engagement

Informal feedback on plenary planning CPR at UNEP, and Perm. Reps. to other UN agencies. Requests from IPBES policy leads in Capitals Open engagement with governments on plenary preparations Opportunities from national and regional fora and science-policy dialogues Through MEAs (including Chairs of Scientific Advisory Bodies)

Communication Dedicated inter-agency communications strategy for IPBES. Communication tools: IPBES website updates: register! Follow IPBES on Twitter : Frequently Asked Questions (on IPBES website)

Independent contributions Expert workshops, including: Capacity Building (Norway and Brazil) Trondheim, May 11 Knowledge generation (ICSU), Paris, 10 June 11 Linking science and traditional knowledge (SwedBio), June; & EEA (Denmark), June 11 Approaches to Assessment (Japan, UNU), Tokyo, July 11 Policy support workshop ( Germany), Bonn, 7-9 Dec. 11 Political Biodiversity workshop (Denmark), Copenhagen, Jan. 12 Elements of the Work Programme (ICSU/USGS), Annapolis, 31 Jan - 2 Feb. 12 Assessment Workshop ( Japan, UNU),Tokyo, Feb. 12 Many National dialogues Further information at

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