Introduction and background

Dear IPBES members, observers and other interested stakeholders,

With reference to notification EM/2021/20 (10 August 2021), IPBES is pleased to announce the start of the external review of the draft nature futures framework and methodological guidance. The external review is open from 6 September 2021 to 31 October 2021.

This external review is addressed to Governments and interested and qualified experts, including scientists, decision makers, practitioners and other knowledge holders. To ensure the highest scientific quality and policy relevance of the draft nature futures framework and methodological guidance, the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel is seeking the widest-possible participation from experts from all relevant disciplines and backgrounds. Those who participated in past consultations, workshops and applications of the draft nature futures framework are particularly invited to send comments.

Purpose / objective of this communication

If you would like to participate as an expert reviewer in this external review, please contact IPBES National Focal Point, Dr Kiruben Naicker by sending an email to vvukeya@dffe.gov.za or nnzimande@dffe.gov.za to request access to the documents up for review alongside a template to submit your comments.

It is important to note that the documents are confidential and not for public distribution.

As part of this review, IPBES will organise the following online meetings:

• An online dialogue workshop for IPBES national focal points and other Government representatives on 4 October 2021. To accommodate for different time zones, participants may choose to attend one of the following sessions:
  • Monday 4 October 2021: 09:00-11:00 CEST (with English- Chinese, Russian and Arabic interpretation)
  • Monday 4 October 2021: 16:00-18:00 CEST (with English- French and Spanish interpretation)
    
    

The link where national focal points can register a delegation will be made available to them after successful registration as a reviewer on https://ipbes.net/registration/nature-futures-framework.

An online dialogue workshop open to all stakeholders will be organised on 6 October 2021. To accommodate for different time zones, participants can participate in one of the following sessions:

• Wednesday 6 October 2021: 6:00-8:00 CEST (with English- Russian and Chinese interpretation)
• Wednesday 6 October 2021: 13:00-15:00 CEST (with English- French and Arabic interpretation)
• Wednesday 6 October 2021: 18:00-20:00 CEST (with English-Spanish interpretation)

Procedure for nominations

All interested experts, in particular those from the wider scientific community, including experts on narrative approaches from the humanities and social sciences are invited to participate. The meeting registration link will be made available after a successful registration as a reviewer on https://ipbes.net/registration/nature-futures-framework.

• An online indigenous and local knowledge dialogue workshop will be held between 28 and 30 September and on 19 October 2021, in the context of the implementation of the IPBES approach to recognizing and working with indigenous and local knowledge adopted by the IPBES Plenary in decision IPBES-5/1.

Enquiries  

For more information, please contact:
Vutivi Vukeya,
E-mail: vvukeya@dffe.gov.za
Tel: 012 399 8521