Webinar: Update from the Scientific Community on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (linked to WG2020 and SBSTTA item 3)

Date and sessions: [expired] 25 January 2022: 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. (EST) and 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. (EST)

Presentation

Context

Since the release of the First Draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework on 12 July 2021, Parties to the CBD and several stakeholders have noted that the links between the 2030 action targets and the framework’s 2050 goals need to be made clear. Moreover, Parties have repeatedly expressed interest in receiving additional expert input to support discussions and negotiations of the framework during meetings of the Working Group and the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice.

To respond to this need, a group of international experts was convened by the bioDISCOVERY program of Future Earth and the Secretariat of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON) to provide an updated scientific synthesis and assessment based on the First Draft of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. 

The resulting scientific synthesis and assessment is available as an information paper to support Parties and stakeholders in their preparations for the resumed sessions of the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24), the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3), and the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-3), to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 13-29 March 2022. This document is available on the Convention’s website as WG2020-03-INF-11 [PDF, 7.46 Mb].

About the event

In the above regard, GEO BON and bioDISCOVERY hosted an informal webinar on 25 January 2022, with support from the Secretariat, to present a summary and key messages from this scientific synthesis and assessment, including: insights into the relationship between the goals, targets and milestones of the framework; evidence-based reflection on quantifying interdependencies and wording of the goals and targets; and the importance of the monitoring process. 

The webinar comprised expert presentations, followed by an open discussion with questions and answers facilitated by the Secretariat. During the open discussion, all efforts were made to ensure that Parties and stakeholders had an equal opportunity to speak.

To accommodate Parties, other governments and relevant organizations in different time zones, the webinar comprised two sessions. The first session was held on 25 January 2022 from 8:00 to 9:30 a.m. (EST) and the second from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. (EST). The webinar was open to all registered participants and conducted in English. Participants joined the time slot that was most convenient for them. The recording of the morning session is available above.

The webinar was not a negotiation session. It is important to note that statements and views expressed during the webinar were not considered part of the official work of SBSTTA, SBI and WG2020 and will not be directly reflected in the documentation prepared for the resumed meetings in March 2022. The webinar lasted one hour and a half, including time for questions and answers.

Agenda

1. Introductory remarks from the CBD Secretariat
2. Opening remarks from the SBSTTA Chair
3. Expert presentations
4. Open discussion
5. Closing remarks from the WG2020 Co-Chairs