SDSN to Host a Pivotal Event Fostering South-South Cooperation for Tropical Forest Conservation at COP16
The event will convene the Co-Chairs of the Science Panels for the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Borneo for the first time
CALI, COLOMBIA (October 14, 2024) — On October 28, 2024, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) in partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will host a Discussion Panel at the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD), “Scientific Cooperation for Tropical Forest Conservation and Sustainable Development: Amazon, Congo, and Borneo Science Panels.” For the first time, this landmark event will bring together the Co-Chairs of three prominent regional science panels convened under the UN SDSN: the Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA), the Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB), and the Science Panel for Borneo.
“The Amazon, Congo, and Southeast Asia forests encompass 80% of the world's tropical forests and two-thirds of terrestrial biodiversity. They provide critical ecosystem services of global, regional, and local significance. They are vital for the global carbon balance and for regulating the climate system. At this critical moment for biodiversity and climate action, the need for scientific collaboration across tropical forest regions is more urgent than ever,” said Emma Torres, Vice President for the Americas and Head of the New York Office at SDSN, and Strategic Coordinator of the Science Panels for the Amazon and Congo Basin. “By bringing together leading scientists from across the major tropical forest biomes, we aim to foster a shared vision that integrates Indigenous and local knowledge with scientific innovation. South-South cooperation is essential for developing conservation strategies and advancing a transformative sustainable development that benefits the countries of these regions and provides for the livelihoods of the communities who depend on them.”
This one-hour roundtable discussion, taking place at the GEF Partnership Pavilion in the Blue Zone at 11:00 am, will highlight the significance of South-South scientific cooperation in addressing systemic threats and trends impacting the world's most significant tropical forest biomes, which are crucial for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of over 1.6 billion people. As these forests face critical challenges from deforestation, degradation, and climate change, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with experts on innovative approaches, best practices, and evidence-based solutions to enhance conservation efforts and sustainable development pathways for the countries of these regions and for local communities and populations. Key topics of discussion will include:
- Science-Driven Policymaking: Leveraging science and evidence bases for effective policy formulation.
- Holistic Environmental Challenges: Addressing complex issues through integrated research and Indigenous Knowledge.
- Scientific Collaboration: Promoting scientific exchange to develop scalable solutions.
- Financial Mechanisms: Highlighting the role of organizations like the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and emerging institutions like the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF)
Dr. Cristian Samper, the Managing Director and Leader for Nature Solutions at the Bezos Earth Fund, will moderate a panel discussion featuring Dr. Carlos Nobre and Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros, Co-Chairs of the Science Panel for the Amazon; Dr. Raphaël M. Tshimanga, Dr. Lydie-Stella Koutika, and Dr. Bonaventure Sonké, Co-Chairs of the Science Panel for the Congo Basin; Dr. Mazlin Bin Mokhtar, Co-Chair of the Science Panel for Borneo; and Aileen Lee, Chief Program Officer at the Moore Foundation. The session will also include interventions from Ms. Emma Torres, Strategic Coordinator of the Science Panels for the Amazon and Congo Basin, alongside Dr. Claude Gascon, Director of Strategy and Operations at the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and Dr. Adriana Moreira, Lead Specialist for Partnerships at the GEF.
This historic gathering of the three science panels marks a significant step toward fostering a collaborative approach to tropical forest conservation, emphasizing the importance of South-South cooperation in addressing shared challenges and leveraging scientific knowledge. By addressing the threats, tipping points, and opportunities, the event underscores the vital role of collaborative action in tackling the urgent issues faced by tropical forests.
Event Details
Scientific Cooperation for Tropical Forest Conservation and Sustainable Development: Amazon, Congo, and Borneo Science Panels
- Date: October 28, 2024
- Time: 11:00 am to 12:00 PM
- Location: GEF Partnership Pavilion, Blue Zone
- Language: English
- Livestream: GEF YouTube Channel
About SDSN
The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) works under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General to mobilize the world’s universities, think tanks, and national laboratories for action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement; empower societies through free online education; and translate scientific evidence and ideas into solutions and accountability. Established in 2012 by the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, and world-renowned economist and professor, Jeffrey Sachs, the SDSN operates at the intersection between science, policy, and development practice to promote the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, through education, research, policy analysis, and global cooperation. Learn more here.
About the Science Panel for the Amazon
The Science Panel for the Amazon (SPA) is the first high-level regional scientific initiative dedicated to the Amazon. The Panel was established to make clear the scientific, economic, and moral case for conservation and address widespread deforestation, forest degradation, and wildfires that have intensified in recent years. Today, the Panel comprises over 280 scientists who released the 2021 Amazon Assessment Report at COP26, which has been called an “encyclopedia” of the Amazon region. The SPA is convened under the auspices of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the SDSN, is the convener of the SPA, Ms. Emma Torres is the Strategic Coordinator, and Dr. Carlos Nobre and Dr. Marielos Peña-Claros serve as the Co-Chairs. Learn more here.
About the Science Panel for the Congo Basin
The Science Panel for the Congo Basin (SPCB) is a high-level regional scientific initiative launched on December 3, 2023, at COP28 in Dubai. It serves as an independent platform for scientists to synthesize existing knowledge, including Indigenous and autochthonous perspectives, regarding the Congo Basin's ecosystems and their threats. The SPCB aims to address the urgent need for holistic and evidence based research to inform policy actions for sustainable development and conservation. The panel is co-chaired by Raphaël M. Tshimanga (University of Kinshasa, DRC), Lydie-Stella Koutika (Centre de Recherche sur la Durabilité et la Productivité des Plantations Industriales, Republic of Congo), and Bonaventure Sonké (University of Yaoundé, Cameroon). The SPCB is convened under the auspices of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the SDSN, is the convener of the SPA, and Ms. Emma Torres is the Strategic Coordinator. Learn more here.
About the Science Panel for Borneo
The Science Panel for Borneo is dedicated to addressing critical challenges, such as species overexploitation, pollution, land and sea use change, climate change, and invasive species. By investing in biodiversity protection in Southeast Asia's forests and seas, the SPB aims to generate significant socio-economic benefits, promote equitable bioeconomies, and enhance the well-being of marginalized communities. Learn more here.
Media Contacts
Gabriela Arnal
Communications Officer, Science Panel for the Amazon
Lila Potter
Program Associate, Science Panel for the Congo Basin