Stakeholder Day and 5th Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental
Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-5)

IPBES-5 convened for its final day in Bonn, Germany. After a brief stocktaking plenary in the morning, the contact groups reconvened to resume their deliberations.

Contact Group I concluded discussions on ILK based on agreement reached during informal consultations in the morning, and resolved outstanding issues in the draft decision on the review of the Platform. The group then discussed and approved draft decisions on enhanced participation of EU in IPBES Plenary sessions, and on replacing the term “benefits” with “nature’s contributions to people” in the IPBES conceptual framework.

Contact Group II discussed and approved a decision on pending assessments.

In plenary, the Co-Chairs of the contact groups reported on outcomes noting several draft decisions with sections on which agreement was pending the outcome of the budget discussions. Budget Group Chair Spencer Thomas reported that the Budget Group had yet to agree on the IPBES budget for 2017 and 2018. Chair Watson alerted delegates that closing the session without adopting a budget was unacceptable.

Delegates then adopted decisions on: capacity building; policy tools and methodologies; the enhanced participation of the EU in IPBES Plenary sessions; the scoping report for and assessment on the sustainable use of wild species; and the dates, venues and agendas of IPBES-6 and IPBES-7. Delegates also approved the decision on the development of a second work programme subject to finalization of the budget, and approved all but one section of the decision on ILK on which informal consultations continue.

At 6:55pm plenary was suspended and the Budget Group reconvened to finalize the decision on the budget.

Plenary reconvened at 8:30. Budget Group Chair Thomas explained that the Budget Group was unable to agree on budget for 2017 and 2018. Delegates discussed several options, including a “minimum survival budget” to guarantee the continuation of IPBES’ operations, and a “high risk” budget that would risk a significant budget shortfall in case additional contributions in 2017 and 2018 are insufficient. Delegates eventually agreed to adopt a medium-sized budget allowing for IPBES operations to continue but not for the initiation of the pending assessments. Delegates agreed to authorize the rapporteur to finalize the meeting’s report based on comments provided by member countries within two weeks. Chair Watson gaveled the meeting to a close at 10:55pm.

IPBES-5 delegates met in two contact groups throughout the day and in the evening. A short plenary convened in the afternoon to review progress. The budget group met throughout the day.

Contact Group I considered: IPBES review; development of the second work programme; and indigenous knowledge systems. Contact Group II discussed: the scoping report for an assessment on the sustainable use of wild biodiversity; capacity building; and policy support tools and methodologies.

IPBES-5 delegates met in plenary in the morning and afternoon. Two contact groups met in the evening to continue discussions on agenda items opened in plenary. The budget group met at lunchtime and in the evening. A Friends of the Chair Group on the enhanced observer status of the EU also met in the evening.

Plenary held initial discussions on: indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems; pending assessments; knowledge and data; policy support tools and methods; communication, stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships; review of the platform; dates and venues of IPBES-6 and 7; and development of the second work programme.

Contact group I continued deliberations on ILK systems. Contact Group II continued discussing pending assessments and the scoping report for the assessment on sustainable use of wild biodiversity.

The fifth Plenary Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services opened in Bonn, Germany.

In the morning, delegates heard keynote speeches and opening statements and addressed organizational matters.

In the afternoon, plenary considered progress in implementing the IPBES work programme, and initiated discussions on budget and capacity building.

The Stakeholder Day preceding the fifth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-5 Stakeholder Day) was held on Monday, 6 March 2017, in Bonn, Germany.

In the morning, participants heard updates on the IPBES work programme, the IPBES communication and outreach strategy, activities of IPBES stakeholders, and preparations for the launch of four regional assessments.

In the afternoon, four breakout groups discussed stakeholder contributions on IPBES-5 agenda items, including: future methodological assessments on scenarios and models of biodiversity and ecosystem services; a scoping report for a methodological assessment of diverse conceptualizations of multiple values of nature; the review of the Platform’s effectiveness, and indigenous and local knowledge systems.