2026/009: IPBES external reviews of the spatial planning and ecological connectivity assessment and the second global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services

The Secretariat of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is pleased to draw the attention of Parties and stakeholders to a notification issued by the Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) regarding ongoing external review opportunities for two assessments.

The IPBES Secretariat has launched the external review of the draft chapters and the summary for policymakers of the methodological assessment of integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity (spatial planning and connectivity assessment), which is now open from 1 June to 26 July 2026 (8 weeks), for interested and qualified experts and Governments.

In addition, the first external review of the draft chapters of the second global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services is open from 15 June to 8 August 2026 (8 weeks), for interested and qualified experts.

Online dialogue workshops will be convened by IPBES to support the review processes. The external review phase constitutes an essential component of the IPBES assessment cycle, contributing to the scientific quality, credibility and policy relevance of the assessments through broad participation of experts and stakeholders.

In line with Decisions of the Conference of the Parties encouraging engagement in relevant IPBES activities, CMS Parties and relevant stakeholders are invited to participate in these external reviews. These assessments are of direct relevance to the work of the Convention, particularly in relation toecological connectivity and the conservation of migratory species.To further support this process, the CMS Secretariat is preparing an input to the reviews to be consulted with the Working Group on Ecological Connectivity of the CMS Scientific Council.

Further information is available in IPBES notificationsEM/2026/14 and EM/2026/18.