Call for nominations: IPBES workshop on biodiversity and pandemics

The Multidisciplinary Expert Panel of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) invites Governments and other stakeholders to nominate experts to participate in a workshop on the link between biodiversity and pandemics.

As explained by Anne Larigauderie, IPBES' Executive Secretary,

Considering the extraordinary situation caused by the novel Coronavirus and given the role that IPBES can play in strengthening the knowledge base on biodiversity links of current and future pandemics such as COVID-19 and in reaching a wide public, the IPBES Bureau and Multidisciplinary Expert Panel, after recent discussions, decided that IPBES will organize a virtual Platform workshop on the link between biodiversity and pandemics, from 27-31 July 2020.

The workshop will be held as a “Platform Workshop” in accordance with IPBES procedures. It will review evidence regarding the origin of infectious diseases transmitted from wild animals, the relationship between pandemics and biodiversity, in particular the drivers of pandemics and options for action related to biodiversity and ecosystem services, in the context of the current crisis and the prevention of future outbreaks.

The workshop will comprise about 20 experts selected by the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel from the pool of experts involved in ongoing IPBES work linked to the topic (i.e. about 5 experts from the scoping of the nexus assessment (thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health in the context of climate change), the  assessment of the sustainable use of wild species and the assessment of invasive alien species), as well as about 15 additional experts nominated by Governments and stakeholders.

Organizations or institutions wishing to nominate are not required to have the status of an observer to the Plenary of IPBES to make a nomination.

Nominated experts should have recognized expertise related to biodiversity and pandemics, including in ecology and evolution of infectious diseases, epidemiology, public health (academic and nonacademic; national and international), political science, economics and behavioural science. All nominated experts (Nominees) will need to be available for the full duration of the virtual workshop, scheduled for 27-31 July 2020.

The procedure for nomination can be found here.