The IPSI Secretariat hosted by UNU-IAS is participating in two key meetings under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Panama City, Panama. The 27th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-27) will take place from 20-24 October 2025, followed by the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J-1) from 27-30 October 2025. Both meetings will be held at the Atlapa Convention Center and will focus on advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). As a committed partner in promoting sustainable biodiversity practices, IPSI Secretariat/UNU-IAS will co-organize three side events to foster dialogue, collaboration, and innovative solutions aligned with the KMGBF and the principles of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS).

Upcoming Side Events Co-Organized by IPSI Secretariat/UNU-IAS

1. Mobilizing Scientific Community to Support GBF Implementation Action

• Date and Time: Thursday, 23 October 2025 at 13:15
• Room: Africa Regional Group Room, 1st Floor
• Associated Meeting: SBSTTA-27
• Hosts: IUBS, UNESCO, UNU-IAS, UFZ
• Topics: Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Capacity-building, Knowledge Management, Biodiversity for Development, Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices, Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
• Summary: This side event will focus on mobilizing the scientific community to enhance collaboration and innovation in support of the KMGBF. By bridging silos among research communities and integrating diverse knowledge systems, including traditional knowledge, the event will explore how to improve access to spatial data, genetic information, and scenario-building to drive transformational change. Examples will demonstrate how interdisciplinary approaches can inform policy and action, particularly for KMGBF Targets 20, 21, 22, 8, and 11. The discussion will also propose mechanisms to operationalize data and strengthen capacities, engaging scientists, policymakers, civil society, the private sector, and Indigenous and local communities.

        Event link: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6747

2. Aligning Sectoral Priorities Towards Policy Coherence, Science and Financing for Sustainability

• Date and Time: Thursday, 23 October 2025 at 18:15
• Room: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Group Meeting Room, Ground Floor
• Associated Meeting: SBSTTA-27
• Hosts: IAI, UNU-IAS, Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), BF, FONPLATA, CGIAR, IUCN, UNFCCC Secretariat, UNDP, UNCCD
• Topics: Agricultural Biodiversity, Dry and Sub-Humid Lands, Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Capacity-building, Scientific and Technical Cooperation
• Summary: This side event will explore policy coherence across Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) by examining how policies are implemented in territorial contexts and their impacts on actors, including Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Through a moderated conversation, it will showcase two cases: first, how transdisciplinary science, science diplomacy, and multilateral cooperation address challenges in agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience, with insights from IAI’s 2025 Conference, FONPLATA’s KMGBF integration, UNCCD’s interlinkages, and Belmont Forum’s funding mechanisms; second, the operationalization of integrated landscape and seascape approaches to balance ecological, economic, sociocultural, and political priorities. The event will highlight inclusive governance and context-sensitive investments to enhance sustainability outcomes and support KMGBF implementation.

        Link: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6712

3. Contextualizing Socio-Ecological Indicators to Assess, Plan, Monitor and Progress Achieving the GBF Targets

• Date and Time: Wednesday 29 October 2025 at 13:15
• Room: Marie Khan Women’s Caucus Meeting Room, Ground Floor
• Associated Meeting: SB8J-01
• Hosts: UNU-IAS, FPP, UNDP, IUCN, and BiodivEarth
• Topics: Post-2020 Framework, Indicators, Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices
• Summary: This side event will showcase localized efforts by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), in partnership with landscape and seascape actors, to achieve socio-ecological resilience and align with the KMGBF’s vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature.” It will highlight tools that customize KMGBF Targets to local contexts, empowering IPLCs to manage resources, territories, and wellbeing autonomously. The event will address challenges in reporting decentralized practices for global monitoring and sharing experiences indicator-based community assessment and planning. An interactive discussion will explore ways to upscale these efforts to support KMGBF monitoring and review, emphasizing ecological and cultural connectivity.

        Link: https://www.cbd.int/side-events/6717

Join Us in Panama

We warmly invite all IPSI members attending the SBSTTA-27 and SB8J-1 meetings in Panama to participate in these side events and engage in meaningful discussions. These events provide a unique platform to connect with fellow IPSI members, the IPSI Secretariat/UNU-IAS team, and a diverse range of global stakeholders. Your participation can help amplify the role of SEPLS in achieving KMGBF goals, share valuable insights, and foster lasting partnerships. We look forward to meeting you in Panama!