At the 9th IPSI Global Conference (IPSI-9), held from 8th to 11th July at Akita International University in Akita, Japan, the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative adopted a new Strategy and Plan of Action for the period 2023-2030. The conference, attended by IPSI members from around the world, allowed members to share and learn from each other and learn of the partnership’s growth since the last global conference in 2019. The conference was organised by UNU-IAS; Akita International University; and the Ministry of the Environment, Japan. 

During the four-day conference, representatives from governments, academia, NGOs, and indigenous communities engaged in discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions to address pressing socio-ecological challenges and enhance their collective efforts. The newly adopted Strategy and Plan of Action for 2023-2030 outline five strategic objectives that will guide IPSI’s work in the coming years:

• Knowledge Co-Production, Management, and Uptake
• Institutional Frameworks and Capacity Development
• Area-Based Conservation Measures
• Ecosystem Restoration
• Sustainable Value Chain Development

The adoption of these strategic objectives underscores IPSI’s dedication to tackling the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development. The objectives have been designed to align IPSI’s activities with the targets and objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

One of the highlights of IPSI-9 was the breakout sessions that allowed participants to delve into the themes of the strategic objectives. These interactive sessions provided a platform for IPSI members to share their on-the-ground experiences, successes, and challenges encountered while working towards the Satoyama Initiative’s goals. Through these exchanges, participants gained valuable insights into different approaches, best practices, and lessons learned in addressing the complex issues related to biodiversity conservation and the resilience of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes.

As IPSI members departed from the conference, they carried with them strengthened connections, a deeper understanding of each other’s work, and a shared determination to address the urgent environmental challenges that lie ahead.

You can read the full IPSI Strategy and Plan of Action 2023-2030 here: IPSI PoA_2023-2030