09:00 – 10:00

Opening ceremony: Welcoming remarks from organizers’ institutions 

• Astrid Schomaker, CBD Executive Secretary
• Mauricio Cabrera, Vice minister of Environment, Colombia
• Lidia Brito, UNESCO Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences
• Hernando Garcia Martinez, Humboldt Institute Director, Co-Chair Consortium of Scientific Partners
• Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian, Co-Chair Consortium of Scientific Partners
• Karl-Josef Dietz, President of International Union for Biological Sciences
• Kensuke Fukushi, Director, IFI, The University of Tokyo

10:00 - 11:30

Plenary Session: Interlinkages for Biodiversity, Science and Sustainability

Description: Starting with the perspective from 50 years of the Club of Rome, on the limits to growth and changes encompassing biodiversity loss and climate change, this session will open the discussions towards living in harmony with nature, meeting the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework within that context in different environments, and how science should or can contribute to paving the path to sustainability towards 2030 and beyond, at the time when we are starting the International Decade of Sciences for Sustainable Development IDSSD. 

Main Speaker (20 minutes): Carlos Alvarez Pereira, Club of Rome

Panelists (5-10):

• Thomas Elmqvist, Stockholm Resilience Centre
• David Obura, Chair of IPBES 
• Josh Tewksbury, Director Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
• Prudence Calega, Cameroon
• María Cecilia Londoño

Question and answer moderator: Tanya Berger-Wolf (Ohio State Univ)-US National Academy of Science

Coffee Break

11:45-13:15

SESSION 1: Sustainability & biodiversity: Food & agriculture IUBS, Expertise France (targets 1, 10 and 16)

Title: Transforming Agri-food Systems for People and Nature: from a new narrative to a new reality. Best cases and pathways for transformative change. 

Description:

More and more often, the dominant narratives on the relationship between agriculture, food systems and sustainable development are perceived as inadequate: they either focus on maximizing agricultural output – the productivist approach – or on prioritizing the preservation of biodiversity over economic impacts – the ecologist approach. That is why, as a follow-up session to the Montpellier Global Days, a group of experts participated in the collective identification of the key elements of a new narrative supporting the transformation of agri-food systems for people and nature. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of agri-food systems and biodiversity, a new narrative can help reconcile these objectives. 

Workshop: Co-creation of a new narrative

1.    Title of the indicative action suggested

2.    Context: What is the objective of this action?

3.   Activities: What are the concrete steps performed to realize this action?

4.    Solution: What will the action achieve?

5.   Scalability: How can this become the norm?

6.    Enabling conditions: What do we need to be able to get there?

7.    Who needs to be involved?

Participants: 

Presentation of best cases

•    Marcia Tambutti (ECLAC), Commonalities between best practices from the LAC region

•    Khadija SAMI, Directrice Régionale de l'Environnement/Souss massa, Morocco

•    Dialogue for agri-food transformation in Sous Massa

•    Keletso Malepe, Global Biodiversity Youth Network (GBYN), Best practice from Africa (South Africa)

•    Eva Zabey, CEO, Business for Nature, Transforming agri-food business

•    Carolina Navarrete (CGIAR), Best case from Colombia

•    Hernando García Martínez, Director General, Humboldt Institute, Traditional diets and biodiversity

•    Lorena Jaramillo, UNCTAD Working Group on Trade and Biodiversity Statistics, Trade and value chains

•    Esther Camac, Continental Network of Indigenous Women of the Americas – ECMIA, Traditional knowledge and indigenous women

•    Rachel Lévesque, Senior Advisor, Food Security (FAO) – Biodiversity (CBD) – Plastic Pollution (INC)

Report on best cases: Identify common themes

-    Renee Borges (IUBS Secretary General)

-   Karl-Josef Dietz (IUBS President

13:15-14:15

Lunch 

14:15-15:00

(Continued) SESSION 2: Sustainability & biodiversity: Securing food & biodiversity 

IUBS, Expertise France (Targets 1, 10 and 16)

Title: Transforming Agri-food Systems for People and Nature: from a new narrative to a new reality. Best cases and pathways for transformative change. 

Workshop restitution by a designated spokesperson. 

Description:

More and more often, the dominant narratives on the relationship between agriculture, food systems and sustainable development are perceived as inadequate: they either focus on maximizing agricultural output – the productivist approach – or on prioritizing the preservation of biodiversity over economic impacts – the ecologist approach. That is why, as a follow-up session to the Montpellier Global Days, a group of experts participated in the collective identification of the key elements of a new narrative supporting the transformation of agri-food systems for people and nature. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of agri-food systems and biodiversity, a new narrative can help reconcile these objectives. 

Workshop restitution and report from the work groups. 

Participants: 

• Danaé Moyano Rodriguez (Post-2020) 
• Fabrice DeClerck, The Montpellier Process 

Hugo Rivera Mendoza, Post-2020

 Coffee Break

15:15-16:45

SESSION 3: Science-based integrated forest management for enhanced biodiversity, human well-being and climate change resilience (Targets 1, 8, 10, 14) - IUBS /US committee

Description: In recent decades, integrated approaches to natural resource management have been receiving attention as means for coordinating the different uses of ecosystems in a manner that generates the greatest value of ecosystem goods and services while also maintaining the resilience of the system to adapt to change and uncertainty. The integrated approach embraces the complexity of social-ecological systems, draws from multiple sources of knowledge, and aims to enhance synergies and reduce trade-offs among diverse stakeholder values across scales by employing participatory processes and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as negotiation and mediation. When applied to forests and other types of ecosystems, the integrated resource management approach holds promise for promoting a more equitable, effective, and efficient implementation of policies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. This proposed session seeks to promote dialogue among scientists, policymakers, private sector, indigenous people and local communities, youth representatives and the organizations who serve youth, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders with the aim of addressing the theoretical, governance, and methodological challenges in the implementation and monitoring of the integrated natural resource management approach. 

Moderator:

• Kofi Akamani

Panelists:

• Leisa Perch, SAEDI Consulting (Barbados) Inc.
• James Reed, CIFOR-ICRAF
• Julian Fox, FAO
• Jeannine Cavender-Bares, Harvard University
• Stephanie Hampton, President of Ecological Society of America, Carnegie Institute of Science

Astrid Caldas, Union of Concerned Scientists (TBC)

SESSION 4: Achieving 30 x 30 protected areas (Target 3) IUBS, CSP 

Description: 

Worldwide, the 30 x 30 target is raising a number of questions, especially in rich biodiversity countries. Some of the questions that will be addressed in this session are: Does the target conflict with development targets? Land sharing versus land sparring? Post-colonial effects of global ideas imposing land-use on traditional communities?  How can we assure effective conservation?  Do indigenous lands count? How to finance it? What participatory processes can assure integrated planning and assure acceptance?

Participants:

• Madu Rhao, IUCN Chair. Overview
• Grégoire Dubois KCDB, Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity (KCBD) of the European Commission.
• Melinka Nájera  (IUCN WCPA) 30x30 Roadmaps in Latin America
• Alice Hughes, University of Hong-Kong. Perspectives from Asia.
• Avecita Chicchon, Gordon & Betty Moore Foundation
• Mr. Takahide Maruki, General Manager, Sustainability Promotion Group, Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. /Board Member, Natural Capital Credit Consortium: ”Leveraging Multi-stakeholder Collaboration for 30x30 -- Mobilizing Corporate and Community Assets through the '100 OECM sites project' —
• Li Wenjin, Head of the Xinjiang Natural Museum, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences.

SESSION 5: Integration of traditional knowledge in knowledge systems (conservation, sustainable use)- (8j, Targets 22, 3, 9, 14)

Description: Among the different types of knowledge, from domestic and international scientific communities, field practitioners and citizen science, the integration of traditional and local knowledge is becoming a key aspect for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as to inform and build robust inclusive policies.

Participants: 

• Suneetha Subramanian - Challenges of integration of Knowledge Systems, UNU-IAS
• Brigitte Baptiste, universidad EAN 
• Carlos Rodríguez/María Clara van der Hammen. TROPENBOS, Colombia. Platform – dialogos de saberes.
• Alphonse Maindo, Congo
• Gabriel Nemogá; University of Winnipeg Canada/Colombia
• Bwalya Chibwe, Linköping University
• Nigel Crawhall UNESCO Cultural and knowledge systems perspective.

Coffee Break

SESSION 6: Monitoring - Advances of scientific networks for addressing gaps in the implementation of the Monitoring Framework of COP 15 Decision 15/5

Description:

The main objective of the session is to examine the progress made by scientific networks in order to meet challenges and strengthen needs for the implementation of the Monitoring Framework established by Decision 15/5 of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Sharing experiences, lessons learned and exploring new opportunities to strengthen monitoring systems at the global and national levels.

Participants:

Opening: María Cecilia Londoño - Humboldt Institute

• Joe Miller and Andrew Rodriguez - GBIF-OBIS
• Andrew Gonzalez and Andy Purvis  - GEOBON
• Emily Nicholson - IUCN

Discussion panel by regions: 

• Latin America: Victor Chocho, Ecuador
• Europe: TBC
• Africa: Ntakadzeni Tshidada, SANBI
• Asia: Dr. Arvin C. Diezmos, Asean Center for Biodiversity.

Australia: Dr. Simon Ferrier. CSIRO

 SESSION 7: Biodiversity & Climate Change (Target 8) IUBS/CS

Description:

This session will focus on the integration of solutions for biodiversity & climate change, focusing the discussion on nature based solutions and other approaches from IPBES and the IPCC – how they can inform decision making on both CBD and UNFCCC; which institutional setting is necessary to support synergies and overcome policy fragmentation or how to demonstrate the importance of integrating biodiversity and climate change when defining policies within and across the Conventions.

Participants: 

• Josef Settele, UFZ. Science, biodiversity and climate change (IPBES-IPCC synergies)
• Carlos Nobre, EY Nature Hub., Brazil 
• Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, WWF Intl. A perspective on the future of BD & CC.
• Theresa Mundita Lim, Executive Director, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
• Gilles Doignon, EU. Nature based Solutions (an overview)

SESSION 8: Science for NBSAPs - Integrating Science and Data for Effective NBSAPs and Community Engagement (Targets 20 and 21)

Description: 

Supporting the knowledge needs of the GBF at scale requires an innovative, coordinated approach toward biodiversity data, tools and analytics capable of accelerating a step-change in how scientific data, information and knowledge is managed. Integrating digital, taxonomic and genetic information available only from scientific collections, such as those maintained by museums, is critical to filling knowledge gaps. This event will present state-of-the-art technological and data-driven approaches to applying biodiversity collections data in research and decision-making, showcasing examples of how collections, genetic research, and citizen science can enhance NBSAPs and provide unique insights toward achieving global biodiversity targets. 

Opening Remarks: David Cooper, Deputy Executive Secretary, SCBD (invited)

Panelists:

• Rebecca Johnson, Chief Scientist, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• Joe Miller, Executive Director, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Mahlodi Tau, Chief Director Biodiversity Information and Policy Advice, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
• Emma Woods, Policy Director, NMNH London
• Vainuupo Jungblut, Environmental Monitoring and Governance, SPREP
• Katie Millette, Executive Secretary, GEOBON
• Jamison Ervin, UNDP

Omar Lopez Alfano, Science Director, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) 

SESSION 9: Technology, AI, & data for Biodiversity (Targets 20 & 21) 

Despite decades of effort, we continue to lack sound scientific information on many species, especially invertebrates. This critical shortcoming continues to block progress towards understanding, protecting, restoring ecosystems in a world dominated by climate change, biodiversity changes, and human activities. New technology, such as GPS, high-definition cameras, AI technology, UAVs, acoustic sensors, genotyping, and crowdsourcing, and high-resolution imagery through participatory/citizen science platforms are now producing massive data streams that could help to fill this gap but our ability to extract insight from these data lags substantially behind our ability to collect it. The key to unlocking the potential of these data will be new machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) methods, which are already beginning to have significant impacts on research across ecology and conservation.

The goal of this session is to synthesize the current state of technology and technology applications within biodiversity science, address key challenges that stand to gain from technology advancement, explore emerging technological developments that have the potential to meet those challenges, and to examine the impact of technology on biodiversity loss.   

Panelists:

Moderator: Tanya Berger-Wolf

• María Cecilia Londoño (Humboldt Institute, Colombia) https://aiforgood.itu.int/speaker/maria-cecilia-londono/
• Joshua Tewksbury (Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute)
• Sara Beery (MIT)
• Millie Chapman (ETH Europe) https://milliechapman.info/
• Lis Nelis (Ramboll, ESA)
• Andrew Gonzalez (co-Chair GEO BON | co-Chair IPBES Monitoring Assessment, Director Quebec Centre for Biodiversity Science,  McGill University) .    

Lunch

SESSION 10: One Health - Perspectives on the One Health approach: what's next in linking environmental, biodiversity, and human health sectors in the planetary crisis era?

Description: 

The panel aims to facilitate an interdisciplinary dialogue to approach the “One Health” focus construction state at an international scale, and its development and integration at national institutional

and policy scales, identifying gaps and bridges to strengthen “One Health” as a management tool to

deal with the planetary crisis.

Participants: 

Speakers:

• Musonda Mumba. Secretary General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
• Doreen Robinson. Director, Biodiversity & Land, UNEP
• Andrés González. Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, FAO
• Ottorino Cosivi. Director, PANAFTOSA
• Cristina Romanelli, Focal point, Biodiversity, Climate change and Health, WHO
• Hugo Mantilla Meluk. One Health High-Level Expert Panel, OHHLEP

SESSION 11: Sustainability and NCP in the GBF: accounting for value systems. 

Description: 

Achieving the sustainable use of biodiversity has proven to be one the most difficult challenges to overcome. A combination of interests, values and life styles across different societies are the driving forces behind the biodiversity crisis. Recent analysis synthetized by IPBES have shown the importance of recognizing this diversity in addition to the recognition of the value of nature, and the diversity of existing tools. But working in the restoration, maintenance and valuation of ecosystem services is a complex task, requiring multidisciplinary teams and perspectives, which makes it difficult to integrate into policies and actions, contributing to sustainability. 

Yet, accounting for value systems is not well developed, although some examples already exist. Up-scaling, integrating and diversifying could be some inputs from research that could contribute significantly in the achievement of SDG and biodiversity targets (11 and 14) related to nature contributions to people.

In this session we will explore several aspects of NCP provision, the valuation and diverse value systems as well as existing tools and successful examples on approaches to work on NCP and sustainability.

Participants: 

• Andrew Gonzalez, McGill University. Essential Ecosystem Service Variables and examples of that approach applied to monitor NCPs. 
• Michael Christie, Abersytwyth University (TBC)
• Suneetha Subramanian (UNU) Diverse values of nature for sustainability
• Joanna Smallwood (University of Sussex) Can the global framework on biodiversity truly deliver on respecting nature’ intrinsic value?
• Osamu Saito, the University of Tokyo/Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES). Valuation of nature & NCP by an integrated assessment model linking biodiversity and socio-economic drivers
• Alexandra Marques PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. 

Mr. Wataru Suzuki, Director, Biodiversity Strategy Office, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), unique NBSAP and policy making regarding GBF Target 11&14.

SESSION 12: What is the role of Nature in post-disaster, post-conflict recovery processes?

This session explores the role of ecosystems in disaster risk reduction and post-conflict, post-disaster recovery, emphasizing the Sendai Framework's call for sustainable ecosystem management. Building on Tidball et al.'s (2010) hypothesis, it highlights how community engagement in ecosystem restoration can aid social healing. The session will examine resilient social–ecological systems, diverse coping mechanisms, and governance strategies to enhance biodiversity and ecosystem recovery. Through global case studies, the aim is to demonstrate how nature can be integral to proactive disaster risk reduction and equitable, rapid post-crisis recovery, while also addressing supply chain and carbon neutrality concerns in recovery planning.

Participants: 

Speakers:

• Kazuhiko Takeuchi (IGES and UTokyo, Japan)
• Vasyl Marmazov (Ukrainian Institute of Politics, Ukraine)
• Marine Elbakidze (the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden, and Ivan Franko National University of Lviv, Ukraine)
• Naomi Motojima (MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Japan)

Moderators for panel discussion:

• Thomas Elmqvist (Stockholm Resilience Centre, Sweden)

Kensuke Fukushi (UTokyo, Japan)

SESSION 13: Scientists’ view on Digital Sequence Information and Access and Benefit Sharing

Description: 

The Nagoya Protocol has its 10^th anniversary since its adoption in 2014. This is an opportunity to consider its achievements, learnt lessons and to look ahead¹. The inclusion of Digital Sequence Information in the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) process is a next step that needs careful considerations in order to prevent any slowing down of basic and applied research. The following questions will be addressed in a series of inputs and panel discussion: What are the lessons learnt from 10 years ABS in the use of genetic resources for efficient research in the fields of biodiversity and other biodisciplines?  How can we encourage all countries to implement the needed mechanisms for ABS? In case of DSI, what kind of multilateral mechanism should be implemented and is favourable for science? Which role should non-monetary benefit sharing play in the mechanism? How do scientists judge the results of WG 2 on DSI from their hands-on perspective? Is there the need for additional databases mirroring or expanding the existing data centres?

Participants:

Speakers and Moderator

• Bao Yiming (National Genomics Data Center, China)
• Chiarolla, Claudio (Alliance Bioversity-CIAT, Kenia) (Moderator)
• Martha Lucia Cepeda (Universidad Central, Colombia)
• Dietz Karl-Josef (chair: IUBS)
• Schlacke Sabine (German Science Foundation DFG, Greifswald University, Germany)
• Mwale Monica (South African National Biodiversity Institute, South Africa)
• Professor Alexandre Antonelli (Director of Science here at Kew) 

SESSION 14: Environmental Peace: Pathways to Foster Just Transitions Towards Sustainability

Description: 

The objective of this session is to generate an exchange of experiences on initiatives, strategies, mechanisms, and instruments that have contributed or can contribute to the transformation of environmental and armed conflicts, to advance in the construction of environmental peace, and to promote fair transitions towards sustainability.

Participants: 

• Augusto Castro, Senior Scientist Low-Emissions Food Systems, Alliance Biodiversity International-CIAT
• Mary Ngaiwi, Research Associate, Alliance Biodiversity International-CIAT
• Stefan Peters- Academic Director and Legal Proxy, The German Colombian Peace Institute
• Juan Camilo Villegas, Responsible for the Environmental Peace and Land emphasis, MAPP OEA
• Mónica Amador, Advisor to the Minister of Environment on Peace and Human Rights - Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (Colombia).

SESSION 15: Moving beyond disclosure to accelerate actions and investments for nature (Targets 15 & 19)

Description: 

This session addresses the urgent need for businesses and investment to embed biodiversity into their core operations, while also spotlighting the significant opportunities for innovation, partnerships, and financial growth that arise from such integration.

Participants: 

Moderator: Ione Anderson or Ricardo  (EY)

Speakers: 

• Keiji Nishizawa, Chair, Keidanren Nature Conservation Council (KNCF): KNFC raised awareness of biodiversity conservation among Japanese business, and made policy recommendations. 
• Mr. Carlos Nobre, EY scientific advisor
• Mr. Cristian Samper, Bezos Earth Fund
• Ms. Yuuko Iizuka, General Manager of Sustainability Department, Sumitomo Forestry
• Ms. Leticia Guimaraes, Business & Biodiversity, VALE S:A.

Closing remarks