The first session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), was held from 21 to 26 January 2013 in Bonn, Germany. Over 500 participants included 105 member governments, UN bodies including UNESCO, NGOs and stakeholder groups, who approved most of the rules for IPBES to become operational. UNEP was asked to support the IPBES Secretariat on policy and programmatic matters and the FAO, UNDP, UNEP and UNESCO were requested to establish an institutional link with IPBES through collaborative partnership arrangements for the work of IPBES, which is expected to be presented at IPBES-2, to be held in Antalya, Turkey from 9-14 December 2013. The main intersessional work of IPBES to date has been an International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES: Building Synergies with Science, which was held from 9 to 11 June 2013, in Tokyo, Japan. Convened by the IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Japan, the workshop was co-organised by UNESCO and UNU.

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In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 197 - We reaffirm the intrinsic value of biological diversity, as well as the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining ecosystems that provide essential services, which are critical foundations for sustainable development and human well-being. We recognize the severity of the global loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems and emphasize that these undermine global development, affecting food security and nutrition, the provision of and access to water and the health of the rural poor and of people worldwide, including present and future generations. This highlights the importance of the conservation of biodiversity, enhancing habitat connectivity and building ecosystem resilience. We recognize that the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities make an important contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and their wider application can support social well-being and sustainable livelihoods. We further recognize that indigenous peoples and local communities are often the most directly dependent on biodiversity and ecosystems and thus are often the most immediately affected by their loss and degradation.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 198 - We reiterate our commitment to the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and call for urgent actions that effectively reduce the rate of, halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity. In this context, we affirm the importance of implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention at its tenth meeting.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 199 - We note the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity, and we invite parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity to ratify or accede to the Protocol, so as to ensure its entry into force at the earliest possible opportunity. We acknowledge the role of access and benefit-sharing arising from the utilization of genetic resources in contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, poverty eradication and environmental sustainability.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 200 - We welcome the strategy for resource mobilization in support of the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including the commitment to substantially increasing resources from all sources in support of biodiversity, in accordance with decisions taken at the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 201 - We support mainstreaming the consideration of the socioeconomic impacts and benefits of the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and its components, as well as ecosystems that provide essential services, into relevant programmes and policies at all levels, in accordance with national legislation, circumstances and priorities. We encourage investments, through appropriate incentives and policies, which support the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and restoration of degraded ecosystems, consistent and in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity and other relevant international obligations.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 202 - Promote international cooperation and partnerships, as appropriate, and information exchange, and in this context we welcome the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, 2011-2020, for the purpose of encouraging active involvement of all stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as access to and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, with the vision of living in harmony with nature.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 203 - We recognize the important role of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, an international agreement that stands at the intersection between trade, the environment and development, promotes the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, should contribute to tangible benefits for local people, and ensures that no species entering into international trade is threatened with extinction. We recognize the economic, social and environmental impacts of illicit trafficking in wildlife, where firm and strengthened action needs to be taken on both the supply and demand sides. In this regard, we emphasize the importance of effective international cooperation among relevant multilateral environmental agreements and international organizations. We further stress the importance of basing the listing of species on agreed criteria.

In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 204 - Work of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services to commence early.

Organized by the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme and the Government of St. Kitts & Nevis, the “Inter-Ministerial and Experts Conference on Biosphere Reserves in the Caribbean Sub-Region: Tools for Sustainable Development and Growth” took place in St. Kitts & Nevis from 26 to 27 March 2013. It facilitated discussions on the identification of appropriate locations for new biosphere reserves with a view to their integration with local and national sustainable development, as well as plans for adaptation to climate change and established an action plan for the next three years. It further agreed to explore modalities to create a “Caribbean Small Island States MAB Network” that will promote biosphere reserves as tools for innovative projects bringing added value to local economies. Finally, a joint project was approved, “Biosphere reserves in the Caribbean sub-region: policies and tools for sustainable development and growth”.

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In support of Rio+20 outcome paragraph 202 - Promote international cooperation and partnerships, as appropriate, and information exchange, and in this context we welcome the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, 2011-2020, for the purpose of encouraging active involvement of all stakeholders in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, as well as access to and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, with the vision of living in harmony with nature.