Outcome of an informal expert workshop on main issues relating to the development of a conceptual framework for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

DURAIAPPAH A; LARIGAUDERIE A; BRONDIZIO ES; MACE GM; ARICO S; ASAH S; ASH NJ; BAPTISTE B; BROOKS T; CAILLAUX J; DIAZ S

UNEP

Lugar: Nairobi; Año: 2013 p. 100

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The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was established to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term wellbeing and sustainable development. Drawing from the Busan outcome (UNEP/IPBES/3/3), representatives of 94 governments at the second session of the Plenary meeting to determine the modalities and institutional arrangements for IPBES, held in Panama City in April 2012 agreed to establish IPBES to perform the following four interrelated functions: (i) Identify and prioritize key scientific information needed for policymakers at appropriate scales and catalyse efforts to generate new knowledge by engaging in dialogue with key scientific organizations, policymakers and funding organizations, but not directly undertake new research; (ii) Perform regular and timely assessments of knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services and their inter-linkages, which should include comprehensive global, regional, and as necessary sub-regional assessments and thematic issues at appropriate scales and new topics identified by science and as decided by the plenary; (iii) Support policy formulation and implementation by identifying policy relevant tools and methodologies such as those arising from assessments, to enable decision makers to gain access to these tools and methodologies and, where necessary, promote their further development; and, (iv) Identify and prioritize capacity building needs to improve the science-policy interface at appropriate levels and then provide and call for financial and other support for the highest-priority needs related directly to its activities, as decided by the Plenary, and catalyse financing for such capacity-building activities by providing a forum with conventional and potential sources of funding. Acknowledging the complex nature of biodiversity, ecosystem services and human wellbeing and the need to ensure coordination and collaboration among the four functions to be implemented by IPBES, representatives of governments at the Panama meeting requested the interim secretariat to prepare a draft conceptual framework document for IPBES, which would be made available for review through an open and transparent process. That document is available online for review until 28th February 2013 at www.ipbes.net/plenary/intersessional, and presents the substantive elements of the current document for review and discussion. The current information document is the final outcome of an informal multidisciplinary expert process that made use of online facilities and a workshop to bring together twenty eight experts from all regions in support of the secretariat?s work in responding to the request from the Panama meeting. The informal group of experts were drawn from a broad range of scientific disciplines and other knowledge systems participating in their own capacity (see Annex 1). The development of the document was done through an online collaboration process, using a web-based platform to keep a complete record of all contributions towards the final production of the document. The online process was followed by a workshop convened in Paris by UNESCO from 27-29 October, with significant financial support of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, a further financial contribution from the DIVERSITAS Programme, and under the oversight of the United Nations University-International Human Dimensions Programme, United Nations University-Institute for Sustainability and Peace and DIVERSITAS. Finalisation of the post-workshop document was made using the web platform.