IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body open to all member countries of the United Nations, and provides a mechanism recognized by both the scientific and policy communities to synthesize, review, assess and critically evaluate relevant information and knowledge generated worldwide by governments, academia, scientific organizations, non-governmental organizations, and indigenous communities. The second meeting of the Platform’s Plenary (IPBES-2) was held from 9 to 14 December 2013 in Antalya, Turkey.

IPSI Secretariat members in attendance were pleased to see many familiar faces from IPSI member organizations at the meeting. These even included IPSI Steering Committee members such as Professor Alfred Oteng-Yeboah of the Ghana National Biodiversity Committee, Ms. Somaly Chan of the Cambodia Ministry of the Environment, Ms. Joji Carino of Forest Peoples Programme, and Mr. Naohisa Okuda of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, among many others.The IPBES framework is extremely important for the concepts of the Satoyama Initiative and SEPLS conservation and promotion, so the meeting provided an excellent opportunity to connect with many IPSI member and other organizations.

More information on IPBES and its events can be found here.