In 2020, the Ministry of Environment set up a national IPBES working group to facilitate the information flow between IPBES and national stakeholders. The working group is composed of representatives from ministries, research institutes and other key stakeholders in the area of nature conservation and ecosystem services.
The tasks of the working group are to
- act as a national network for IPBES
- participate in formulating positions and views to IPBES reports processes
- participate in preparation of participation to IPBES plenaries
- promote and disseminate IPBES work and results in Finland
- promote the participation of Finnish experts in IPBES work.
Additionally, members of the working group act as contact points to their ministries, universities, and expert/research institutes.
From June 2023, the Working Group is chaired by Leif Schulman, Director General of the Finnish Environment Institute. The secretariat of the Group is located at the Finnish Environment Institute.
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.
IPBES was established in Panama City, on 21 April 2012 by 94 Governments. It is not a United Nations body. However, at the request of the IPBES Plenary and with the authorization of the UNEP Governing Council in 2013, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES. Read more about IPBES on the IPBES website.
The work of IPBES can be grouped into four complementary areas
- Assessments: On specific themes, methodological issues, and at both the regional and global levels.
- Policy Support: Identifying policy-relevant tools and methodologies, facilitating their use, and catalyzing their further development.
- Building Capacity & Knowledge: Identifying and meeting the priority capacity, knowledge and data needs of our member States, experts and stakeholders.
- Communications & Outreach: Ensuring the widest reach and impact of IPBES work.
Read more about the work programme on the IPBES website.
Currently, 146 countries are members of IPBES. The contact point for Finland is the Ministry of the Environment, and the National Focal Point is Suvi Borgström, senior specialist.
Further information
Juuli Närhi
Secretary of the Finnish National IPBES Working Group
firstname.lastname@syke.fi
+358 295 252 220