Event description 

The objective of this panel is to showcase the UNESCO’s Earth Network programme, a global intersectoral programme to strengthen the capacity of Member States to implement solutions for ecological restoration, climate change, ocean preservation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, encompassing over 2,000 UNESCO designated sites. The programme functions as a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) with a global resource mobilization target of USD 20 million over an initial period of 4 years. The programme was initiated thanks to an initial 3-year contribution of USD 3.9 million by Italy.

The Earth Network programme aims to build a global network of volunteer experts to support ecological restoration and the reconciliation of human-nature relationships in UNESCO designated sites (World Heritage, Geopark, and Biosphere Reserves) and safeguard Intangible Culture Heritage elements. The programme supports women and youth in priority geographical areas (Africa, SIDS) and strengthens the capacity of Member States through volunteer expert missions and training workshops in UNESCO designated sites, as well as Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) and scientific publications, demonstrating their implementation of internationally agreed commitments of Member States, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration, the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and the CBD Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework.

The programme also supports the development of the UNESCO Biodiversity Portal and database which will allow to demonstrate and visualise UNESCO's unique contribution to the international agenda on biodiversity and climate change by the publication and provision of quality data and scientific indicators associated with UNESCO's unique mandate in science, education and culture and its unique network of designated sites.

Proposed panellists : 

• Representative from Italy’s Ministry of the Ecological Transition
• Representative from UNESCO
• Representative from UNESCO Earth Network