Bonn, 23 January 2013 - Government officials, scientists and experts are participating in the first meeting of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-1) hosted by the Government of Germany to discuss the future structure and work programme of IPBES.

Mr. Achim Steiner, UNEP Executive Director, Ms. Ursula Heinen-Esser, Parliamentary Secretary of State of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, and Mr. Jürgen Nimptsch, Lord Mayor of the City of Bonn, opened the conference in Bonn on 21 January.

Achim Steiner, who chaired the opening ceremony, thanked the Federal Republic of Germany for supporting and organizing the first conference. He called on delegates to put in place the administrative, personnel and leadership features that will ensure IPBES is a dynamic, well-functioning, efficient, effective and respected platform. It is meant to evolve to a body of expertise to which the world will look for answers to some of the most pressing and complex challenges of our age. It presents huge opportunities to shape a sustainable 21st century.

The Officer in Charge of CMS, Bert Lenten said: “We expect that IPBES will be of great benefit to CMS.”

As the Convention has a focus on animal migration, which links habitats, continents, oceans and human cultures, it plays an important role in addressing the need for the existence of IPBES. Sound scientific information based on data collection is necessary to assess migratory species and their ecosystems.

For more information about the IPBES Plenary Meeting, click here.