Thursday, 15 December 2022, 15:30-17:00 @ Auditorium, Place Québec

After two years of postponements due to the Covid pandemic, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will finally be able to meet for the second and final part of the 15^th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD (COP15) and work towards achieving the pivotal goal of establishing the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

Throughout this process, the United Nations (UN) System has been fully committed to supporting Parties in their efforts to reach an ambitious work programme to effectively address the drivers of biodiversity loss over the next decades.

Through the Common Approach to Integrating Biodiversity and Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development into United Nations Policy and Programme Planning and Delivery (the Common Approach), the UN expresses a shared recognition of the urgency of acting and a commitment to mainstreaming biodiversity through better coordinated efforts that will connect and build upon the strategies and programmes of work of United Nations system entities. It is expected that by achieving this, the UN System will facilitate the implementation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the realization of the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity under which biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people.

As part of these commitments, the UN Environment Management Group (EMG) has played an important role by providing a diverse set of inputs to the preparation of the GBF, as well strengthening the UN system commitment for action to assist Member States in its implementation.

This high-level side event will foster a discussion between a selected number of Heads of UN entities, regional organizations and Heads of Delegation of Parties to the CBD in which they will examine how UN entities are supporting Member States through the Common Approach and reflect on its future implementation in light of the expected adoption of the GBF.

The event will result in a summary of perspectives of leaders on the path towards achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity with the support of the UN System.