Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) at CBD COP13

On Wednesday, 14 December, the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) convened under two themes. The first theme, ‘Mainstreaming Equality and Social Inclusion,’ was organized by the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR); Collaborative Partnership for Sustainable Wildlife Management (CPW); Conservation International (CI); GEF; Governments of Canada, Botswana, Mexico and Tanzania; Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network (IWBN); IUCN; TRAFFIC, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; Vandana Shiva, WorldFish, and World Resources Institute (WRI).

The second theme, ‘Planetary Health: Strengthening the Science-Policy Interface for Sustainable Development,' was organized by the CBD Secretariat, Planetary Health Alliance, and Loyola Sustainability Research Centre. The Rockefeller Foundation - Lancet Commission on Planetary Health, UNEP, EcoHealth Alliance, Future Earth, GEO BON, IUCN, WCPA, United Nations University International Institute for Global Health (UNU IIGH), Bioversity International and Community Health Initiative and the World Health Organization were partners.

In the morning, the first session addressed how to maximize opportunities for participatory and inclusive sustainable development and included country perspectives from Mexico and Botswana. Participants heard an address by Victoria Tauli-Corpuz the UN Special Rapporteur on Rights of Indigenous Peoples on examples and opportunities for advancing inclusive and equitable agendas at national and international levels. The second morning session provided a platform to reflect on linking community-level initiatives to national action to achieve the SDGs from the ground up, with a global overview on knowledge and gaps provided by CIFOR and presentations on local level initiatives presented by CI, IUCN, IWBN and WorldFish.

The afternoon event began with presentations of key messages from three global reports on environment and health. A second session showcased innovative cross-sectoral work on dimensions of planetary health. Then participants held an informal round table discussion on: local engagement; agrobiodiversity, food security and nutrition; land use change and infectious disease emergence; and ‘nature-based solutions’ to support human health.

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Tuesday, 13 December, was ‘Forest Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration.’ The session provided a forum to showcase planning and implementation measures and their degree of coordination to reduce forest habitat loss, deforestation and forest degradation.

Participants heard from countries that are championing coordinated actions and regional initiatives fostering mutual learning. Effective and replicable methodologies to assess restoration opportunities and to monitor impact were also highlighted.

The event was organized by the CBD, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO), IUCN, FAO, and GEF. The Government of Mexico the Korean Forest Service and Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) were partners.

In the morning, the first session looked at the global restoration movement and the methodologies used to monitor progress and impact, including the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) developed by IUCN and the World Resources Institute (WRI). The second session discussed country experiences, with examples from Brazil, Ethiopia, Finland, Guatemala, Mongolia and the Philippines.

In the afternoon, one session focused on approaches for monitoring global restoration commitments. A second afternoon session discussed ways and means for organizations to use partnership arrangements to leverage actions that contribute to shared restoration goals at the national level, including CPF, GPFLRP and national initiatives to support alignment of restoration actions to the CBD objectives and Aichi Targets.

The day concluded with the presentation of a Joint CPF Message on ‘Fostering Partnerships to Build Coherence and Support for Forest Landscape and Ecosystem Restoration.’

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Monday, 12 December, was Protected Areas: “Partnerships for improving natural wealth for achieving global targets and for addressing global challenges.” The session provided a forum to discuss the status of implementation of Aichi Target 11 (protected areas) and national "roadmaps" of prioriy actions; how the roadmaps contribute to achieving the Target; and helping countries in implementing their roadmap in order to achieve multiple benefits.

The EU, UNDP, Japan Biodiversity Fund, UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC), Governments of Germany, Republic of Korea, India, Mexico, Brazil, GEF, Birdlife International, IUCN, Institut de la Francophonie pour le Développement Durable (IFDD), Red Latinoamericana de Cooperación Técnica en Parques Naturales, Áreas Protegidas, Fauna y Flora Silvestre (REDPAQUES) and Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) were co-organizers.

In the morning session, participants heard about progress in implementing Aichi Target 11 and national roadmaps. Session 1 showcased experiences from the Asia and Pacific Region, with presentations from India, Fiji, SPREP and ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. Session 2 focused on Africa, with experiences from South Africa and Uganda, and on support from Germany and IFDD.

In the afternoon, Session 3 on Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) focused on Mexico and Brazil, and the work of REDPARQUES. Session 4 presented perspectives from Europe, including the Governments of Albania and Malta, the EU Joint Research Centre (JRC) and IUCN/WCPA Global Programme, Europe. The last Session featured presentations by the GEF Secretariat, BirdLife International, UNEP/WCMC, and Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCA) Consortium.

On Saturday, 10 December, the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) convened under two themes. The first theme, Sustainable Food Systems for Biodiversity, Nutrition and Health, was organized by the CBD, International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS), and The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB). FAO, UN Environment (UNEP), United Nations University-Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS) were contributing organizers.

The second theme, Linking Public Health and Ecosystem Management: A One Health approach, was organized by EcoHealth Alliance, with, as contributing organizers, GEO BON, Future Earth, World Health Organization (WHO), IUCN, and Concordia University, Canada.

The first session provided a forum for participants to: explore co-benefits for the environment, biodiversity and health to promote sustainable and healthy food systems and diets; discuss successful strategies; and make recommendations on the transition towards sustainable and healthy food systems. Participants addressed: using biodiversity to achieve climate smart food systems, nutrition and human health; mainstreaming biodiversity for nutrition and climate change; sustainable, climate-resilient food systems for biodiversity, nutrition and health; and the TEEB AgriFood Framework and Systems Approach.

The second session was aimed at exploring the links between forests and health, including risk factors, planning approaches and preventive measures, and identifying priorities for knowledge products that can be developed under the 2030 development agenda. Participants considered A One Health approach to linking public health and ecosystems: and integrating health and biodiversity monitoring. They also discussed tools and initiatives to assess ecosystem health, the global governance of invasive species, and how to increase synergies between biodiversity, climate action and health.

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Friday, 9 December, was Forest and Agriculture: Complementing the roles of agriculture and forestry to achieve socio-ecological and sustainable development priorities. The event was organized by the FAO, CBD Secretariat, Mexican Government, along with, as contributing organizers, Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) member organizations, GEF, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), World Bank; Global Partnership on Forest and Landscape Restoration (GPFLR); Bioversity; FERI (Korean Forest Service).

In the morning session, participants discussed biodiversity mainstreaming for climate smart agriculture, food security and sustainable forest management, and were briefed on highlights from the State of the World’s Forests 2016 report. Participants then considered the role of forests and forest ecosystem services as essential elements of sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation; land use frameworks for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, with perspectives from Gambia and Viet Nam.

During a lunch session participants reflected on ecological intensification and ecosystem services, and the value of agro-forestry systems to global production.

In the afternoon, participants heard about the World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s new Land Connectivity Initiative and perspectives from Costa Rica and the Luxembourg Microfinance and Development Fund on incentives that promote landscape connectivity to contribute to broader development priorities. They then considered how to measure impacts of various aspects of sustainability and commitments to zero deforestation and sustainability standards. The last session addressed coordinated policies related to forests, biodiversity, agriculture and energy, with perspectives from Mexico, Nigeria and Cambodia, and the GEF.

FAO launched the report 'Mainstreaming Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity into Agricultural Production Management in the Pacific Islands.'

FAO and the CBD Secretariat hosted a reception in the evening.

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Thursday, 8 December, was Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC): The Power of Local Action. Sessions focused on sharing knowledge and exchanging best practices involving forests, fisheries, agriculture and tourism, with emphasis on local solutions for the protection and sustainable use of biological resources. The event was organized by the UNDP’s Equator Initiative, GEF-Small Grants Programme (SGP), CBD, Conservation International (CI), Rare, The Natural Conservancy (TNC), EcoAgriculture Partners, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nippon Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

In the morning session, participants considered local action for Aichi Targets and SDGs and ways to ensure IPLC support to sustainably manage biodiversity and to engage in national and global processes. They also discussed IPLC best practices in sustainable forest management and wildlife conservation, with examples from Chile, Colombia, Guatemala and Mexico.

In the afternoon, participants heard examples from Equator Initiative Prize winners from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico regarding the promotion of sustainable fishing and marine and coastal habitat conservation. Participants also considered the use of traditional knowledge to preserve bio-cultural diversity in sustainable agriculture and crop diversification, with reflections on winners’ stories vis-a-vis national and global policies for sustainable agriculture. Finally, a session examined the respect of culture and nature protection in sustainable and inclusive tourism.

In the evening, a reception was held to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Equator Initiative and 25th anniversary of SGP

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Wednesday, 7 December, was Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Tourism and Fisheries Management. Presentations and discussions focused on showcasing solutions from islands and from other States, as tourism destinations and “biodiversity hotspots.” In the afternoon participants focused on integrating sustainable fisheries management into wider sustainable development frameworks including tourism.

The event was organized by the Global Islands Partnership (GLISPA), the CBD Secretariat and the Government of Mexico.

In the morning session participants considered ways to mainstream biodiversity into tourism development, tourism and biodiversity “Bright Spots,” with a discussion panel looking at progress and experiences from Mexico, Costa Rica and the British Virgin Islands. The use of IUCN’s Green List Standard for Protected Areas was also discussed. A subsequent panel considered different approaches to tourism and financing, including national conservation fund partnerships, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and other initiatives involving the private sector and NGOs.

After lunch the focus turned to the interaction between tourism and fisheries. The first panel discussed national approaches to sustainable tourism and fisheries, with presentations on initiatives from the Seychelles, Mexico’s islands, Belize and Indonesia, focusing on community participation and community right-based approaches. A second panel looked at regional and global approaches, including perspectives on tourism and fisheries in the context of sub-regional biodiversity strategies, the experience in the Caribbean Community states, and gender perspectives.

The day ended with an informal discussion session where participants shared ideas and experiences on the day’s topics.

The theme for the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) on Tuesday, 6 December, was Biodiversity and Climate Change. Presentations and discussions focused on biodiversity and climate change scenarios and the role of global management strategies. Participants considered opportunities for promoting ecosystem-based approaches to climate mitigation and adaptation in light of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction (DRR).

The event was organized by the CBD Secretariat, UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, BirdLife International, Conservation International, the Government of South Africa, Global Environment Facility (GEF), European Commission, Ramsar Convention Secretariat, IUCN, UNDP and GIZ.

In the morning session, participants considered the role of global land management strategies in climate, biodiversity and sustainable development. Participants then broke into roundtable discussion groups to consider: land use and cover change modeling; food security and land use; and non-forest ecosystem-based mitigation. Participants also addressed what science can deliver for the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

After lunch, participants discussed opportunities for promoting ecosystem-based approaches to climate mitigation and adaptation in light of the Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework for DRR and SDGs. Participants also discussed how ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) investments can reduce DRR while catalyzing social, economic and environmental dividends, with case studies from India, Kiribati and Cuba.

The EbA Solutions Portal under the PANORAMA web-based knowledge-sharing platform was launched during the afternoon session, and IUCN launched its Global Synthesis Report on Biodiversity and the Ecosystem Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction, “Helping Nature Help Us.”

The Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP) opened on Monday, 5 December 2016, at the UN Biodiversity Conference, in Cancún, Mexico. It convened under the theme “Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Sectors,” and was hosted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat.

The first RCP thematic day, Landscape Day, was chosen as part of the celebration of the World Soil Day 2016 and focused on linkages between soils, biodiversity, land degradation and climate change. Landscape Day was co-organized by FAO and Germany’s Institute for Biodiversity and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research. The governments of Mexico and Germany were contributing organizers.

After opening remarks from the CBD Secretariat, FAO and Global Environment Facility (GEF), the first session focused on the findings of and lessons learned from place-based research on sustainable land management (SLM) conducted in 12 regional projects that are synthesized in the recently released publication, "Making Sense of Research for Sustainable Land Management." Three case studies were presented, highlighting technology solutions, stakeholders’ involvement, and model optimization approaches. Subsequent sessions discussed supporting policy coherence, the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security, and research efforts to quantify the effects of agricultural intensification on land productivity and biodiversity.

Landscape Day concluded with a session celebrating World Soil Day 2016 and the launch of a new FAO flagship publication, “Soils and Pulses – Symbiosis for Life” aimed at promoting sustainable soil management towards achieving food security worldwide.