Trinidad and Tobago participates at the Eighth Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-8)

The Eighth Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-8) met virtually from 14th – 24th June 2021 to lay the foundation to ensure continued success by approving future assessments and work plans for the intersessional period. Highlights include the approval of:

• The scoping report for a thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health (nexus assessment); 
• The scoping report for a thematic assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, determinants of transformative change, and options for achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity (transformative change assessment); and 
• The interim workplans of the five IPBES task forces for the intersessional period 2021–2022.

By approving the scoping reports, the IPBES Plenary has initiated a process for the nominations of experts from governments and other stakeholders, and selection of assessment co-chairs, lead authors, and review editors.

These meetings were originally scheduled to take place in Marrakesh, Morocco, but were rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. IPBES-8 was preceded by the IPBES-8 Stakeholder Days from 3-9 June. Participants attending the meeting represented IPBES Member and non-member governments, UN agencies and convention secretariats, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and stakeholder groups.