Upcoming Meetings
Biodiversity and Wildlife
May 2013
Twelfth Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous IssuesThe 12th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will take place from 20-31 May 2012. The provisional agenda is now online.
dates: 20-31 May 2013 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx
81st General Session of the World Organization on Animal HealthThe 81st Session of the World Organization on Animal Health (OIE) will consider recommendations forwarded by the OIE Regional Commissions, and discuss technical issues including modern approaches and the use of new technologies for the control and eradication of aquatic and terrestrial animal diseases that fully consider animal welfare and minimize the impact on food security.
dates: 26-31 May 2013 venue: Maison de la Chimie, 28 Rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris, France location: Paris, France contact: OIE Secretariat phone: +33 (0) 1 44 15 18 88 e-mail: oie@oie.int www: http://www.oie.int
Semantics for Biodiversity – International WorkshopThis workshop, co-organized by Bioversity International, Institut de Recherche pour le Development (IRD), Centre de Recherche Agronomique pour le development (CIRAD), Institut de Biologie Computationelle (IBC) and Universite de Montpellier II, will define key challenges identified by the bioinformatics community, discuss solutions and identify opportunities emerging from interactions across plant science and informatics disciplines. A key focus of the workshop will be the use of semantic technologies to design and develop systems that support research on agricultural and wild biodiversity conservation and management for food security, including strategies for resilience to climate change pressure, ecosystem monitoring and territory mapping. The invitation to send pre-submissions for papers and abstracts is open until 24 February.
dates: 26-27 May 2013 location: Montpellier, France www: http://www.bioversityinternational.org/announcements/semanti...
International Conference for International Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Land and Sea Managers NetworkThis conference will explore land and sea management themes such as the blue economy, sustainable livelihoods, women engaged in sustainable development and traditional ecological knowledge.
dates: 27-31 May 2013 location: Darwin, Australia contact: Australian Government Land and Coasts phone: +1-800-552-008 fax: +61-02-6272-4526 e-mail: communications@nrm.gov.au www: http://www.nrm.gov.au/about/key-investments/indigenous-netwo...
Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity: Ecology and Economy for a Sustainable SocietyThe 2013 Trondheim Conference will explore how to cut development pathways towards a sustainable society by aligning policy, business, economy and ecology borders, scales and systems. Participation in the conference is by invitation only. Each country has been invited to send two experts, one from each field of biodiversity and economy/planning. The Trondheim Conferences are a result of collaboration between the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Norwegian Government and are held every 3-4 years.
dates: 27-31 May 2013 location: Trondheim, Norway contact: Conference Secretariat phone: +47 73 58 05 00 fax: +47 73 80 50 01 e-mail: trondheim.conference@dirnat.no www: http://www.dirnat.no/tk13/
June 2013
IPBES First Full MEP and Bureau MeetingThe Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) will hold the first 'Full Members of the Platform (MEP) and Bureau meeting' to implement Decision IPBES/1/2 on next steps for the development of the initial IPBES work programme, as requested by the IPBES Plenary at its first session. The meeting will be hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management.
dates: 1-6 June 2013 location: Bergen, Norway contact: Makiko Yashiro e-mail: makiko.yashiro@unep.org www: http://www.ipbes.net/news-centre11/340-1st-full-mep-and-bure...
CBD Expert Meeting on Capacity Building for Implementation of the Nagoya ProtocolThis expert meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will develop a draft strategic framework for capacity building and development in support of the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (Nagoya Protocol).
dates: 3-5 June 2013 location: Montreal, Canada contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2013/ntf-2013-004-abs-e...
International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBESThe International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES: Building Synergies with Science will be convened by the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Multidisciplinary Expert Panel and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Japan. It is being co-organised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the UN University (UNU). The objectives of the workshop are to examine and identify procedures and approaches for working with indigenous and local knowledge systems in the framework of IPBES; and to review and assess possible conceptual frameworks for the work of IPBES that are based on or accommodate indigenous and local knowledge systems and worldviews. The workshop is part of the on-going intersessional process leading up to the second session of the Platform's Plenary (IPBES-2), where the outcomes of this workshop will be presented for further consideration.
dates: 9-11 June 2013 location: Tokyo, Japan contact: Makiko Yashiro e-mail: makiko.yashiro@unep.org www: http://www.ipbes.net/news-centre11/341-expert-workshop-on-in...
INC-Forests 4The fourth and final session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Legally Binding Agreement on Forests in Europe (INC-Forests 4) is slated to complete negotiations for a legally binding agreement (LBA) on forests.
dates: 10-14 June 2013 location: Warsaw, Poland e-mail: INC-Forests@foresteurope.org www: http://www.forestnegotiations.org
International Interdisciplinary Conference on Land Use and Water Quality (LuWQ 2013)This conference will address the integration of science, management and policy to reduce the effects of agriculture and land use change on groundwater and surface water quality. Conference themes include: increasing system knowledge; impact of climate change and weather variability; assessment of national policy; field research and data interpretation; management of protected areas; and decision-making and implementation.
dates: 10-13 June 2013 venue: Bel-Air Hotel location: The Hague, Netherlands contact: Dico Fraters phone: +31 (0)43-36 27 008 www: http://www.luwq2013.nl/
Third International Conference Waters in Sensitive and Protected AreasThis Conference organized by the Croatian Water Pollution Control Society (CWPCS) and the European Water Association (EWA) will address themes including: implementation of legal obligations related to water and environmental protection in sensitive areas; new concepts and technical solutions applicable in sensitive and protected areas (PAs); protection of surface and groundwater resources and of strategic drinking water reserves; and water in sensitive transboundary areas. The conference will also include a round table on tourism in sensitive and PAs.
dates: 13-15 June 2013 venue: Hotel Westin, Izidora Kršnjavoga 2, 10000 location: Zagreb, Croatia contact: WSPA Conference Organizer phone: +385 (0)1 6307-405 fax: +385 (0)1 6151-793 e-mail: hdzv@voda.hr www: www.WSPAconference.com
Land for Business–Business for LandThe workshop on 'Land for Business – Business for Land: The Economics of Land Degradation' will serve as catalyst for private sector involvement in the Economics of Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative. Corporate strategists, leaders in sustainability and other representatives of the business community will be asked to outline their needs within the context of further development of the ELD private sector work programme. The objectives of the workshop are to: Understand companies‘ needs; Profile the economic valuation of land and ecosystems services within business strategy development; Identify business sectors most affected by land degradation and explore how to document the impact of unmitigated risk on business strategy and value chains; Raise awareness of options for managing land degradation risk; Explore examples of sustainable land use in specific sectors and showcase enterprises implementing scalable, win-win solutions; Identify barriers to scaling up good practices and explore options to enable the private sector to invest in sustainable land management; and Identify a programme of work and sector leaders to be integrated into subsequent stages of the ELD Initiative. The workshop will take place in the context of the BONN PERSPECTIVES, an initiative of the City of Bonn and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia.
dates: 13-14 June 2013 location: Bonn, Germany contact: ELD Initiative e-mail: eld-business-bonn-perspectives@giz.de www: http://www.bonn-perspectives.de/en/dialogue-events/land_for_...
European and Others Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Western European and Others Group and Central and Eastern Europe.
date: 13 June 2013 location: virtual contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037
14th Session of the Informal Consultative Process (ICP 14)The 14th meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea (ICP) is to carry out an in-depth review of the oceans-related outcomes of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20), and how those outcomes would impact and benefit international coordination and cooperation. The consideration of issues relating to sea-level rises and their impact on security and survival, particularly on low-lying coastal areas and island nations, against the background of sustainable development was also suggested by many delegations at ICP 13. They also proposed another theme for consideration, on aspects of marine scientific research related to sustainable development.
dates: 17-20 June 2013 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America contact: UN DOALOS phone: +1-212-963-5915 fax: +1-212-963-5847 e-mail: doalos@un.org www: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/consultative_process/consultativ...
Asia-Pacific Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Asia-Pacific Region.
date: 17 June 2013 location: virtual contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037
GEF 44th Council MeetingThe Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Council meets twice per year to approve new projects with global environmental benefits in the GEF's focal areas, and provide guidance to the GEF Secretariat and Agencies. Among other matters, the 44th session of the Council is expected to discuss the GEF's role vis-à-vis the global mercury agreement. A consulation with CSOs will take place on 17 June.
dates: 18-20 June 2013 location: Washington, District of Columbia, United States of America contact: GEF Secretariat phone: +1-202-473-0508 fax: +1-202-522-3240 e-mail: secretariat@thegef.org www: http://www.thegef.org/gef/events/gef-44th-council-meeting
African Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs [tentative]Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the African Region.
date: 20 June 2013 location: virtual contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037
African Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs (French) [tentative]Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the African Region.
date: 25 June 2013 location: virtual contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037
27th Session of the IOC AssemblyThis session of the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will take place at UNESCO headquarters.
dates: 26 June - 9 July 2013 venue: UNESCO headquarters location: Paris, France contact: UNESCO IOC phone: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00 www: http://ioc-unesco.org/index.php?option=com_oe&task=viewEvent...
Latin American and Caribbean Regional Online Real-time Conferences on Socio-economic Considerations Arising from Impacts of LMOs (Spanish) [tentative]Organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), this online conference aims to continue the exchange of views and synthesis of information and experiences regarding socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms (LMOs) on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, especially with regard to the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities. Building on a series of previous online discussions, the conference is open to representatives from Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities from the Latin American and Caribbean Region.
date: 27 June 2013 location: virtual contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2037
July 2013
International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, Food Security and Climate Change, and Third High-level Roundtable on the ITPGRThe Third High-level Roundtable on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) is organized under the patronship of the Government of Indonesia in the context of the International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, Food Security and Climate Change. The High-level Roundtable will focus on the policy contribution of the Treaty to cope with global challenges related to biodiversity, climate change and food security.
dates: 1-4 July 2013 location: Bandung, Indonesia contact: Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development phone: (62 - 21) 7806202 fax: (62 - 21) 7800644 e-mail: HLRT3-Treaty@fao.org; bioccfs@litbang.deptan.go.id www: http://www.planttreaty.org/sites/default/files/files/Provisi...
Protected Area Management CourseThis course is taught in Spanish and is designed for participants from Spanish and Portuguese speaking nations in Latin America, Africa and Europe that are directly involved in planning and management of protected areas, buffer zones and conservation corridors. The course is coordinated by CSU in collaboration with the Office of International Programs of the United States Forest Service and with cooperation of other US federal agencies, including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Reclamation, as well as non-governmental organizations and state and municipal governments. The course will take place from 3 July-3 August 2013, with applications due on 31 January 2013.
date: 3 July 2013 location: Fort Collins, United States of America e-mail: jim.barborak@colostate.edu www: http://warnercnr.colostate.edu/cpamt-protected-areas-course
Forum on Wetlands for LivelihoodsThis Forum is co-organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)- Institute for Water Education (IHE) and Rwanda's Environmental Management Authority to discuss current challenges and solutions to wetland management, and pave a way forward, both regionally and beyond.
dates: 8-12 July 2013 location: Kigali, Rwanda contact: Ken Irvine, UNESCO-IHE, Aquatic Ecosystems Group e-mail: k.irvine@unesco-ihe.org www: http://www.ramsar.org/pdf/FORUM_Wetlands_for_Livelihoods_201...
Joint Assembly of IAHS, IAPSO and IASPEIThis scientific conference will include symposia on, inter alia: ocean mixing; regional seas; ocean observations and climate change; climate and land surface changes in hydrology; cold and mountain region hydrological systems under climate change; characterizing water quantity and quality; understanding freshwater quality problems in a changing world; interactions between sediment and aquatic ecology; adaptive water resources management; and hydrology education and capacity building in developing countries. It is co-organized by: the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS); the International Association for the Physical Sciences of the Oceans (IAPSO); and the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI). These international associations are constituent associations of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG).
dates: 22-26 July 2013 venue: Göteborg Convention Centre, Mässansgata 20, SE-402 26 location: Gothenburg, Sweden contact: Congress Secretariat phone: +46 31 708 60 00 fax: +46 31 708 60 25 e-mail: iahs.iapso.iaspei2013@congrex.com www: http://www.iahs-iapso-iaspei2013.com/index.asp
August 2013
Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to Study Issues Relating to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity Beyond Areas of National JurisdictionThe Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction (Informal Working Group on Marine Biodiversity) will meet in August 2013, at UN Headquarters in New York, US. It will be preceded by two intersessional workshops that will be convened in New York from 2-3 May and 6-7 May 2013.
dates: 19-23 August 2013 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America contact: Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea phone: +1 212-963-3962 fax: +1 212-963-5847 e-mail: doalos@un.org www: http://www.un.org/Depts/los/biodiversityworkinggroup/biodive...
Sixth International Ecosystem Services Partnership ConferenceThe sixth meeting of the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) will focus on case studies and the practical application of the ecosystem services concept to planning, management and decision-making. The ESP is organizing the conference, in cooperation with the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry. Other partners include the UN Environment Programme's World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Global Mechanism (GM), and the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), among others. Professional Training Sessions on Practical Tools for Ecosystem Services Assessment will take place after the event.
dates: 26-30 August 2013 venue: Pan Pacific Nirwana location: Bali, Indonesia contact: Beria Leimona e-mail: l.beria@cgiar.org www: http://www.espconference.org/ESP_Conference
IV Mesoamerican Congress of Protected AreasLaunched by the Central American Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) in 2003, the triennial Mesoamerican Congress of Protected Areas brings together experts from Mexico and the eight Central American Integration System (SICA) countries (Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama) and interested regional and international actors to dialogue, share experiences and propose initiatives involving protected areas, including marine protected areas, and their role in sustainable development. The IV Congress, organized by Costa Rica's National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) with CCAD support, is expected to discuss, inter alia: governance; research within protected areas and access to biodiversity; protected areas and climate change; protected areas as social and economic instruments; and regional cooperation.
dates: 27-30 August 2013 venue: Centro de Conferencias Ramada Plaza Herradura location: San Jose, Costa Rica contact: Ricardo Meneses-Orellana, SINAC phone: +506-2291-1215 fax: +506-2231-8491 e-mail: ricardo.meneses@sinac.go.cr
September 2013
Global Ocean Action SummitThe Global Ocean Action Summit, organized by the Government of the Netherlands and the World Bank, is meant to "seal major deals for worldwide action" addressing the threats to the health and productivity of oceans. The meeting aims to mobilize financial and technical support for attaining established goals under the Global Partnership for Oceans (GPO). It will also host the first official assembly of GPO partners, and will mark the implementation phase of the GPO. In addition, a report indicating priority areas and regions for action will be launched by the GPO Blue Ribbon Panel, an independent group of ocean experts. Attendance is by invitation only.
dates: 9-13 September 2013 location: The Hague, Netherlands contact: Elisabeth Mealey phone: +1 202 458 4475 e-mail: emealey@worldbank.org www: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2013/03/27/gl...
28th Session of the FAO Latin American and Caribbean Forestry Commission (LACFC)This biennial meeting offers a policy and technical forum for countries in the Latin American and Caribbean region to discuss and address forest issues. Government officials from forestry and other sectors are encouraged to attend, as are representatives of NGOs, private industry and other organizations dealing with forest-related issues in the region.
dates: 9-13 September 2013 location: Georgetown, Guyana contact: Brenda Hivy Ortiz-Chour e-mail: hivy.ortizchour@fao.org www: http://www.fao.org/forestry/31106/en/
68th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 68)The 68th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 68) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 17 September 2013. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 24 September 2013.
dates: 17-30 September 2013 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
Ninth Meeting of the AEWA Standing CommitteeThe Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) is an intergovernmental treaty dedicated to the conservation of migratory waterbirds and their habitats across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Greenland and the Canadian Archipelago. The ninth meeting of the Standing Committee for AEWA will take place from 18-20 September in Trondheim, Norway, and will be hosted by the Norwegian Directorate for Nature Management. AEWA was developed under the framework of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), which is administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
dates: 18-19 September 2013 location: Trondheim, Norway contact: AEWA Secretariat phone: +49-228-815-2413 fax: +49-228-815-2450 e-mail: aewa@unep.de www: http://www.unep-aewa.org/meetings/en/stc_meetings/stc9docs/s...
CGIAR Science Forum: Nutrition and Health Outcomes: Targets for Agricultural ResearchIn September 2013, the biennial Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Forum will bring together scientists, practitioners, experts and leading thinkers to examine emerging challenges and recent scientific advances in the areas of nutrition, health and agriculture. The Forum seeks to identify key research areas where there is potential to deliver impacts and, critically, it aims to facilitate the formation of new partnerships to address them. The event will reach out to scientists and scientific communities who may not be part of CGIAR, but who have potentially important contributions to make to the CGIAR research portfolio, and therefore to the global agriculture research agenda for a food secure future.
dates: 23-25 September 2013 location: Bonn, Germany e-mail: SF-2013@fao.org www: http://www.cgiar.org/consortium-news/science-forum-2013-the-...
First International Conference on Global Food SecurityThe First International Conference on Global Food Security aims to explore the economic, social, biophysical, technological and institutional drivers of current and future global food security. The topics list includes, inter alia: enabling trade and market policies for local and global food security; sustainable intensification of food production systems; novel ways of feeding 9 billion; land sparing, land sharing and trade-offs; agricultural production as feedstock for renewables; lost harvest and wasted food; nutritional security; and labelling, certifying and striving for quality and sustainability of food production.
dates: 29 September - 2 October 2013 location: Noordwijk, Netherlands www: http://www.globalfoodsecurityconference.com/index.html
October 2013
Second World Heritage Marine Site Managers ConferenceThe second World Heritage marine site managers conference will be co-hosted by the World Heritage Centre (WHC) of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the French Marine Protected Area Agency (AAMP).
dates: 5-7 October 2013 [tentative] location: Marseille (Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur), France contact: UNESCO phone: +33 (0)1 45 68 10 00 www: http://www.marineworldheritage-unesco.org/calendar/
Eighth Meeting of the CBD Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related ProvisionsThe Working Group on Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to continue consideration of tasks 7 (equitable benefit-sharing), 10 (development of standards and guidelines for the reporting and prevention of unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge), 12 (exchange and dissemination of information) and 15 (repatriation of traditional knowledge) of the work programme on Article 8(j); and consider a draft plan of action on customary sustainable use, as well as the matter of terminology related to "indigenous peoples and local communities." An in-depth dialogue will be held on "connecting traditional knowledge systems and science, such as under the IPBES, including gender dimensions".
dates: 7-11 October 2013 location: Montreal, Canada contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1-514-288-2220 fax: +1-514-288-6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WG8J-08
CBD SBSTTA 17At its seventeenth meeting, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to marine and coastal biodiversity, biodiversity and climate change, and collaboration with IPBES.
dates: 14-18 October 2013 location: Montreal, Canada contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=SBSTTA-17
28th General Meeting of the International Coral Reef InitiativeThe International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) will hold its 28th General Meeting (GM28) in Belize. Launched at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 1) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1994, ICRI brings together governments, the CBD and the Ramsar Convention Secretariats, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), development banks such as the World Bank, regional organizations such as the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), and international organizations such as the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). ICRI members use annual General Meetings to interact, discuss past and upcoming ICRI-related activities and adopt resolutions or recommendations that bring international attention to specific issues affecting coral reefs.
dates: 14-17 October 2013 venue: Radisson Fort Hotel and Marina location: Belize City, Belize contact: ICRI Secretariat e-mail: icri@gbrmpa.gov.au www: http://www.icriforum.org/ICRIGM28
27th Session of the FAO North American Forest CommissionThis biennial meeting offers a policy and technical forum for countries in the North American region to discuss and address forest issues. Government officials from forestry and other sectors are encouraged to attend, as are representatives of NGOs, private industry and other organizations dealing with forest-related issues in the region.
dates: 15-19 October 2013 location: Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America contact: Peter Csoka e-mail: peter.csoka@fao.org www: http://www.fao.org/forestry/31117/en/
World Food Day: Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition“Sustainable Food Systems for Food Security and Nutrition” will be the focus of World Food Day in 2013. The official World Food Day theme – announced at the start of every year by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – gives focus to World Food Day observances and helps increase understanding of problems and solutions in the drive to end hunger.
date: 16 October 2013 location: worldwide www: http://www.fao.org/getinvolved/worldfoodday/en/
Ninth Meeting of the Rotterdam Convention Chemical Review CommitteeThe Chemical Reivew Committee (CRC) is a subsidiary body of the Rotterdam Convention that reviews chemicals and pesticide formulations according to the criteria set out by the Convention in Annexes II and IV, respectively, and makes recommendations to the COP for listing these chemicals in Annex III. A joint meeting with the POPRC may be held on 19 October 2013, if approved by the joint Basel/Rotterdam/Stockholm COPs. This meeting was originally scheduled to convene in March 2013, but is now scheduled to meet back to back with the Stockholm Convention's POPRC.
dates: 21-25 October 2013 location: Rome, Italy contact: Rotterdam Convention Secretariat phone: +41-22-917-8296 fax: +41-22-917-8082 e-mail: pic@pic.int www: http://www.pic.int/
Third International Marine Protected Area CongressThe third International Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) Congress aims to define actions to promote cooperation through different initiatives, and to inspire a new way of thinking to face global challenges, such as climate change, poverty reduction, and resource sharing.
dates: 21-25 October 2013 location: Marseille (Provence-Alpes-Cote D'Azur), France contact: IUCN www: http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/impac3_pageflyer_dl1.pdf
Second Global Soil Week 2013This event, which will convene under the theme 'Losing Ground?' is organized by the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam, Germany. It will bring together practitioners, policy makers, scientists and representatives from civil society organizations to share knowledge and experience on soil and land related issues and to make plans to advance the global agenda for sustainable development. A call for proposals will be posted soon.
dates: 27-31 October 2013 location: Berlin, Germany contact: IASS Potsdam e-mail: info@iass-potsdam.de www: http://www.iass-potsdam.de/research-clusters/global-contract...
Ad Hoc Technical EGM on Socio-Economic Considerations of the Cartagena Protocol on BiosafetyThe Expert Group Meeting (EGM) organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will examine: existing institutional frameworks, legislation and policies with provisions on socioeconomic considerations; capacity-building activities related to biosafety and socioeconomic considerations; existing expertise and experience; and other policy initiatives concerning social and economic impact assessments.
dates: 28 October - 1 November 2013 [tentative] location: Bolivia, Plurinational State of contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/
November 2013
25th Session of the FAO Asia-Pacific Forestry CommissionThis meeting offers a policy and technical forum for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss and address forest issues. This by-invitation meeting targets government officials from forestry and other sectors, as well as representatives of NGOs, private industry and other organizations dealing with forest-related issues in the region.
dates: 4-8 November 2013 location: New Zealand contact: Patrick Durst e-mail: patrick.durst@fao.org www: http://www.fao.org/forestry/33587/en/
19th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCCUNFCCC COP 19 and CMP 9 and the subsidiary bodies will convene in Warsaw, Poland.
dates: 11-22 November 2013 location: Warsaw, Poland contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: 49-228-815-1000 fax: 49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
ITTC-49The 49th Session of the International Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) and the Associated Sessions of the four Committees (Finance and Administration, Economic Information and Market Intelligence, Forest Industry, and Reforestation and Forest Management) are scheduled to take place in Libreville, Gabon.
dates: 25-30 November 2013 location: Libreville, Gabon contact: ITTO Secretariat phone: +81-45-223-1110 fax: +81-45-223-1111 e-mail: itto@itto.or.jp www: http://www.itto.int
41st meeting of the CMS Standing CommitteeThe 41st meeting of the CMS Standing Committee is scheduled to convene in November 2013. The Standing Committee of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was established by Resolution 1.1 of the Conference of the Parties (COP). Its functions are to provide policy and administrative guidance between regular meetings of the COP. It consists of representatives of every global region, of the Depositary and, where applicable, of the country that plans to host the next meeting of the COP.
dates: 27-28 November 2013 venue: UNEP/CMS Secretariat offices, Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10 location: Bonn, Germany contact: Barbara Schoenberg e-mail: bschoenberg@cms.int www: http://www.cms.int/notifications/2013/008_stc41_dates_e.pdf
December 2013
9th Pacific Islands Conference on Nature Conservation and Protected AreasThe Pacific Islands Roundtable for Nature Conservation, a network of nongovernmental organizations, donors and regional organizations working in nature conservation in the Pacific, organizes this conference every five years to set activities and strategies for the next five year period. This ninth conference's theme is "Natural Solutions: Building Resilience for a Changing Pacific."
dates: 2-6 December 2013 venue: University of the South Pacific, Laucala Campus location: Suva, Fiji e-mail: pacificconference2013@sprep.org www: http://www.sprep.org/pacificnatureconference
European Forest WeekThe week will be celebrated under the theme "Forests, their products and services," and will focus on the contribution of forests to the green economy. The main celebrations will be centred on Metsä 2013, the joint meeting of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Timber Committee and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) European Forestry Commission. Additional events will be held throughout Europe.
dates: 9-13 December 2013 location: Rovaniemi, Finland contact: Eve Charles phone: 41 (0)22 917 3922 e-mail: eve.charles@unece.org www: http://www.unece.org/index.php?id=31600
IPBES-2The second meeting of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is exepected to take place in late 2013.
dates: 9-13 December 2013 location: TBA contact: UNEP Secretariat e-mail: ipbes.unep@unep.org www: http://www.ipbes.net
January 2014
65th Meeting of the International Whaling CommissionThe 64th Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and the associated meetings of its Scientific Committee and other sub-groups will take place in 2014.
date: 1 January 2014 [tentative] location: TBA contact: IWC Secretariat phone: +44 (0) 1223 233 971 fax: +44 (0) 1223 232 876 e-mail: secretariat@iwcoffice.org www: http://iwcoffice.org/
February 2014
ICNP 3The third meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to compliance, a global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, the ABS clearing-house, and monitoring and reporting, and will exchange views on the state of implementation of the Protocol, and on sectoral and cross-sectoral model contractual clauses, codes of conduct and guidelines.
dates: 3-7 February 2014 [tentative] location: Montreal, Canada [tentative] contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/
June 2014
UNFCCC 38th Sessions of the Subsidiary BodiesThe 38th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in June 2014.
dates: 4-15 June 2014 location: Bonn, Germany contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: +49-228 815-1000 fax: +49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
20th World Congress of Soil ScienceThe Korean Society of Soil Science and Fertilizer will host the 20th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS). The meeting will take advantage of the fact that the field of soil science is expanding because of the growing interest in food security and safety as well as environmental quality. In addition, many state-of-the-art emerging technologies being developed in other fields are available to adapt to soil science, creating an explosion of information and knowledge in the many fields of soil science. The 20th WCSS will provide an opportunity to examine the changes in soil science and to envision new perspectives for basic and applied soil research. The local Organizing Committee is planning to set up the various programs to encourage the participation of soil scientists from across the world.
dates: 8-14 June 2014 location: Jeju, Republic of Korea www: http://www.20wcss.org/
31st Session of the FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI 31)This session will be held in June 2014. Based on its terms of reference, COFI: reviews the work programmes of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in the field of fisheries, and their implementation; conducts periodic general reviews of international fishery problems and examine possible solutions through national, FAO and intergovernmental programmes; reviews specific matters relating to fisheries referred to the Committee by the Council or the Director-General, or placed by the Committee on its Agenda at the request of Member Nations in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Committee, and to make recommendations as may be appropriate; considers the desirability of preparing and submitting to Member Nations an international convention under Article XIV of the Constitution to ensure effective international cooperation and consultation in fisheries on a world scale; and reports to the Council or tender advice to the Director-General, as appropriate, on matters considered by the Committee.
dates: 9-13 June 2014 venue: FAO headquarters location: Rome, Italy contact: FAO Fisheries e-mail: FAO-COFI@fao.org www: http://www.fao.org/unfao/govbodies/gsbhome/committee-fi/en/
CBD SBSTTA 18At its eighteenth meeting, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among others, issues related to marine and coastal biodiversity, biodiversity and climate change, and the relationship with IPBES.
dates: 16-20 June 2014 [tentative] location: Montreal, Canada [tentative] contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/
CBD WGRI 5At its fifth meeting, the Working Group on Review of Implementation (WGRI) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is expected to address, among other issues, implementation of the Strategy for Resource Mobilization, the efficiency of structures and processes under the Convention and its protocols, and biodiversity and development.
dates: 23-27 June 2014 [tentative] location: Montreal, Canada [tentative] contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://www.cbd.int/meetings/
September 2014
69th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69)The 69th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 69) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 16 September 2014. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 23 September 2014.
dates: 16-29 September 2014 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
2014 World Conference on Indigenous PeoplesThe UN General Assembly approved a resolution to organize a high-level plenary meeting in 2014 (the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014) to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of indigenous peoples' rights, including to pursue the objectives of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples 2014 will be organized as a high-level plenary meeting of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly and supported by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to share perspectives and best practices on the realization of the rights of indigenous peoples and to pursue the objectives of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
dates: 22-23 September 2014 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America contact: Nilla Bernardi phone: +1 212-963-8379 e-mail: bernardi@un.org www: http://social.un.org/index/IndigenousPeoples.aspx
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety COP-MOP 7The seventh meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties serving as Meeting of the Parties (MOP) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is scheduled for 29 September-3 October 2014. Among other issues, the meeting is expected to address: handling, transport, packaging and identification (HTPI) of living modified organisms (LMOs); risk assessment and risk management; and socio-economic considerations.
dates: 29 September - 3 October 2014 location: Republic of Korea additional: PyeongChang contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2036
October 2014
CBD COP 12The twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will engage in a mid-term review of the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the Aichi targets. The theme of the meeting will be 'Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.' The Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP MOP 7) will take place immediately before COP 12.
dates: 6-17 October 2014 location: Republic of Korea additional: PyeongChang contact: CBD Secretariat phone: +1 514 288 2220 fax: +1 514 288 6588 e-mail: secretariat@cbd.int www: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/e-doc/?notification=2036
November 2014
IUCN World Parks Congress 2014The sixth International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Parks Congress will serve as a vital link to achieving IUCN's overall vision of a “just world that values and conserves nature” and deliver the IUCN Programme 2013-2106.
dates: 12-19 November 2014 location: Sydney, Australia contact: Trevor Sandwith e-mail: trevor.sandwith@iucn.org www: http://www.iucn.org/about/work/programmes/gpap_home/?11730/I...
December 2014
UNFCCC COP 20The 20th session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in December 2014 at a venue to be determined.
dates: 3-14 December 2014 location: TBA contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: +49-228 815-1000 fax: +49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
January 2015
Ramsar COP 12The 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP 12) will take place in the first half of 2015, in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
date: 1 January 2015 [tentative] venue: Conrad Resort and Casino location: Uruguay additional: Punta del Este contact: Ramsar Secretariat phone: +41-22-999-0170 fax: +41-22-999-0169 e-mail: ramsar@ramsar.org www: http://www.sprep.org/biodiversity-ecosystems-management/urug...
May 2015
Expo 2015: Feeding the Planet, Energy for LifeFrom 1 May-31 October 2015, Expo 2015 will be held on the theme, “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life”. It is organized by the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which is the body responsible for overseeing and regulating issues relating to the organization of World and International Expos. Recognizing the role of food and nutrition in achieving sustainable development, the event will focus on a variety of related themes, including improving food quality and security, ensuring healthy and high-quality nutrition for humans, and promoting innovation in research, technology, and business practices.
date: 1 May 2015 venue: Expo - Milano 2015 location: Milan, Italy contact: Expo 2015 Planning Office phone: +39 02 89459400/499 www: http://en.expo2015.org/
June 2015
40th Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary BodiesThe 40th sessions of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in June 2015.
dates: 3-14 June 2015 location: Bonn, Germany contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: +49-228 815-1000 fax: +49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
September 2015
Fourteenth World Forestry CongressThe 14th World Forestry Congress, convened by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), is intended to raise awareness and provide a forum for discussions on forestry-related technical, scientific and policy issues.
date: 1 September 2015 [tentative] location: Durban, South Africa contact: South Africa Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries www: http://www.affcomnet.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=a...
70th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70)The 70th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 70) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 15 September 2015. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 22 September 2016.
dates: 15-28 September 2015 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
October 2015
Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary FundThe 2015 Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund will take place in Lima, Peru, in October 2015. The Annual Meetings bring together ministers of finance and central bank governors from the institutions' 188 member countries, and provide a forum for civil society, the private sector, academics and others to engage in discussions on economic issues.
date: 1 October 2015 location: Lima, Peru contact: David Theis, World Bank phone: +1 202-458-8626 e-mail: dtheis@worldbank.org www: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/09/14/world-bank-group...
December 2015
UNFCCC COP 21The 21st session of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in December 2015 at a venue to be determined.
dates: 2-13 December 2015 location: TBA contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: +49-228 815-1000 fax: +49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
May 2016
42nd Sessions of the UNFCCC Subsidiary BodiesThe 42nd sessions of the subsidiary bodies to the UNFCCC are expected to take place in May 2016.
dates: 18-29 May 2016 location: Bonn, Germany contact: UNFCCC Secretariat e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
September 2016
71st Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71)The 71st Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 71) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 13 September 2016. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 20 September 2016.
dates: 13-26 September 2016 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
November 2016
UNFCCC COP 22The 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the UNFCCC is expected to take place in November-December 2016, at a venue to be determined.
dates: 30 November - 11 December 2016 location: TBA contact: UNFCCC Secretariat phone: +49-228 815-1000 fax: +49-228-815-1999 e-mail: secretariat@unfccc.int www: http://www.unfccc.int
September 2017
72nd Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72)The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 12 September 2017. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September 2017.
dates: 12-25 September 2017 venue: UN Headquarters location: New York, United States of America www: http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=A/INF/67/1
