UNU-IAS, as host of the IPSI Secretariat, and the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) will co-organize a public forum as part of the Tenth Global Conference of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI-10) to be held in Riobamba, Ecuador on 3–5 March 2026. Focusing on conservation in mountain landscapes and sustainable ecotourism, the event will provide a platform for dialogue and exchange among policymakers, practitioners, researchers, community representatives, artists and students, focusing on practical approaches to conserving mountain socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) while supporting sustainable livelihoods.   

The event will explore experiences and perspectives across three thematic areas: the protection and conservation of mountain landscapes; awareness-raising and stakeholder engagement through diverse approaches, including arts and media; and sustainable ecotourism as a driver of conservation and community development. Through shared reflections and discussion, the forum aims to foster mutual learning and strengthen collaboration toward societies in harmony with nature.

Participation & Registration 

This event will be held in a hybrid format. To participate online, please register in advance, and a link will be sent to your email address. 

Please note that participants in UNU events may appear in photography, screen captures, videos, and/or audio (see disclaimer). 

Language

This event will be held in English and Spanish with Zoom Translated Captions available.

Programme

Subject to change. IPSI-10 Public Forum Agenda

MC: Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, University of Georgia; UGA)

09:00–09:25 Opening Remarks and Framing Presentations

• Washington Luna (Dean of Electronics and Informatics, Rector Elect, ESPOCH)
• Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, UGA): Montology and Biocultural Heritage Imperatives in the Andes and the World’s Mountains
• Suneetha Subramanian (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS / IPSI Secretariat): Regenerative Development for Strengthening the Sustainable Development Goals in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS) 

09:25–10:00 Panel 1: Actions and Efforts to Protect and Conserve Mountain Landscapes

• Mordecai Owidi Ogada (Executive Director, Conservation Solutions Afrika)
• Renato Chávez (Professor, ESPOCH)
• Alden Yépez (Professor, Director of PachaLab, Chimborazo, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador; PUCE) 
• Patricio Mena (Conservationist, Andean Researcher, ECOCIENCIA NGO) 
• Olmedo Cayambe (Indigenous Community Representative, Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve; RPFCH) 
• Paul Tito (Engineer, Director of Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve; RPFCH) 
• Jeamileth Alejandra Razo Sandoval (Engineer, Coordinator of Sumak Kawsay Research Center)

10:00 Break

10:15–10:45 Panel 2: Raising Awareness and Motivating Stakeholders Towards Conserving Mountainscapes

• Chen-Fa Wu (Professor, National Chung Hsing University; NCHU, Taiwan Landscape Environment Association)
• Carlos Jara (Professor, ESPOCH)
• Ana María Varea (Biologist and equatorial ecologist / Former UNDP Quito)
• César Cotacachi (Indigenous environmental leader, Imbakucha Sacred Landscape and Imbabura Global GeoPark)
• Juan Manuel Carrión (Scientific Illustrator, Charles Darwin Foundation; CDF) 
• Sidney Eigeman (Biology/Geography Researcher, UGA) 
• Alex Gavilánez (Professor, ESPOCH)

10:50–11:25 Panel 3: Sustainable Ecotourism as An Engine for Conservation of SEPLS

• Engin Yilmaz (Executive Director, Yolda Initiative)
• Danny Castillo (Professor, ESPOCH)
• Jack Rodríguez (Owner, Hostería Cumandá; Ecosustainable Ecuadorian Amazon Foundation; FAEES)
• Luis Suárez (Former Director, Conservation International Ecuador; CI) 
• Chadley Hollas (Ecotourism and Precarity Researcher, UGA)
• Jaime López (Professor, University San Francisco de Quito; USFQ)
• Miriam Nataly Piulamunga Remache (Indigenous Leader, Puruwa Women for Environmental Communication)

11:25–11:55 Q&A

Moderators: Suneetha Subramanian (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS/IPSI Secretariat) and Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, UGA)

11:55 Closing Remarks

• Carlos Jara (Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, ESPOCH)

Organizers

The event is co-organized by UNU-IAS, IPSI Secretariat, University of Georgia (UGA), Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), and Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ).