The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Services (IPBES)
UNEP Communication on the Inter-sessional Processes Preparing
for the First Plenary Meeting of the IPBES (expected early
2013)
The United Nations Environment Programme has
released a communication regarding the inter-sessional processes
preparing for the first plenary meeting of the IPBES. The
communication outlines actions required for governments, not
currently signed up to the platform, who wish to express intent to
become a member of the platform.
The annex of the document contains a summary
of the actions that will be taking place in the lead up to the
first plenary. Information within the annex covers
preparation procedures for: nominations to the Bureau and
Multidisciplinary Expert Panel; rules and procedures for meetings
of the IPBES plenary; preparation for the initial work programme;
overview of assessments; conceptual framework to guide the work of
the platform; capacity building needs and activities; receiving and
prioritising requests from governments; determining a scoping
process; and structure and composition of the Multidisciplinary
Expert Panel.
Letter from Achim
Steiner (UNEP, Executive Director) to Ministers
Second session of the plenary meeting to
determine modalities and institutional arrangements
for the IPBES
The second session of the plenary meeting to
determine modalities and institutional arrangements for the
IPBES was held in Panama City. On 21 April 2012, following
six days of negotiations, representatives of consenting Governments
adopted a resolution, by which the IPBES was established as an
independent intergovernmental body. Representatives decided
that the present resolution, and any future decisions of the
Platform, will have a legally non-binding nature.
The seat of the IPBES secretariat is to be
located in Bonn, Germany. Representatives requested that the
secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme facilitate
the Platform until the secretariat is established, with a view to
it being administered by one or more of the following: UNEP,
UNESCO, FAO and the UNDP. In the resolution it was decided
that the first session of the Plenary of the IPBES would decide on
the link between the Platform and the UN system.
Report of the
second session of the plenary meeting to determine modalities and
institutional arrangements for an intergovernmental science-policy
platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services
Advance Papers for the Second Session of the IPBES Plenary
Following the intersessional process established at the first
IPBES Plenary, advance versions of some of the papers for the
second session in Panama in April 2012 are now available on the
IPBES website. Of particular note is the latest version of
the possible elements of the work programme
(UNEP/IPBES.MI/2/2) and the functions and structures of
bodies that might be established under an IPBES
(UNEP/IPBES.MI/2/3).
The November 2011 consultation with the UK IPBES
Stakeholder Group on the work programme provided some very useful
responses that UK government was able to utilise in
contributing to the EU position submitted to the
intersessional process; thank you to those who submitted
views. The EU position and those from other
countries are available from the
IPBES website intersessional-process pages.
In preparation for the second session, we invite any additional
views on the possible elements of the work programme and
functions and structures of bodies. For more information
please go the Consultations page: the consultation closes on
15th March 2012. CONSULTATION
CLOSED
Consultation on Work Programme and Governance Structures
It was agreed at the 1st
IPBES Plenary that governments and other international parties
should submit views on the possible scope of the Work Programme to
the UNEP secretariat by 15 December 2011. To meet this deadline the
European Commission, on behalf of Member States, has initiated a
consultation process and is seeking views by mid-November
2011. To support its own position, the UK government is now
seeking views from the Stakeholder community via a consultation
that will close on 4th November 2011. For information on how
to contribute go to Consultations. CONSULTATION
CLOSED
First IPBES Plenary 3-7 October 2011
The opening session of the first IPBES plenary, held in Nairobi,
Kenya concluded on 7 October. Chaired by Professor Bob
Watson, the five day meeting discussed the modalities and
institutional arrangements for establishment of an
IPBES.
Significant progress towards the full operationalisation of
IPBES was made, with all participants supporting the creation of
IPBES and building on the Busan
Outcome.
While the legal process of establishing IPBES was deferred to
the second session agreement was reached on the functions and
principles of IPBES and the process for submitting bids for hosting
the secretariat and physical location. Submission will be
considered at the second session. Functions of the plenary
body were also agreed. Other options for a subsidiary body or
scientific advisory body were discussed but options left open.
There was a preliminary exchange of views on the structures of
working groups and regional hubs, and issues of the priorities for
the work programme.
The report of the meeting and its annexes (which contain
draft text on the functions and operating
principles of the platform; functions and structures of bodies that
may be established, rules of procedure; criteria for selecting host
institutions and physical location of the secretariat; and work
programme) were adopted.
Discussions on the draft texts will resume at the second session
of the plenary to be held in the week 16 April 2012, the location
is yet to be determined.
Adopted draft text, in-session and official documents
Summary of the first
session of the plenary meeting on the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service: 3-7
October 2011 (12 pages, 360kb)
Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Director
UN Environmental Programme
opening speech
For more details see the IPBES website
Updated: 28 June 2012