The first session of the plenary meeting on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) opened today in Nairobi, Kenya. Delegates were asked to observe a minute of silence at the start of the session for Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

In the morning, delegates heard opening statements and began discussions on the meeting’s rules of procedure and the adoption of the agenda. In their statements, delegates called for the swift establishment of IPBES at this meeting, emphasizing that the Platform be a small entity that does not duplicate the work of other initiatives. Delegates further noted the importance of multidisciplinary approaches and capacity building efforts.

In the afternoon, delegates convened to consider: revision and adoption of the agenda, including on legal issues relating to establishing and operationalizing IPBES; the functions and operating principles of the platform; and functions and structures of bodies that might be established under IPBES. Delegates debated whether to postpone discussions on the legal issues relating to the establishment and operationalization of the platform, agreeing to confer on the matter once the original legal advice provided by the UN Office for Legal Affairs is made available. Consideration of composition of membership for the Platform was also taken up, with some members calling for universal membership while others suggested that only UN Member States be included. Deliberations on this were held over until Tuesday morning.

In the evening, delegates were invited to attend a reception hosted by the Government of Kenya.