The decision was announced at the 6th Plenary of IPBES in Medellin, Colombia from 17-24 March 2018, a meeting that also saw the launch of four regional assessments of biodiversity and one thematic one on land degradation.
Following an open call for Expressions of Interests and a separate call for nominations of experts to serve on the review panel at the end of last year, the Bureau of IPBES selected ICSU among 18 applicants to coordinate the review, as well as 10 experts to serve on the review (see below). The Chair of IPBES, Robert Watson commented on the relevance of ICSU to undertake such a work, especially in the context of its merger with ISSC and the closer integration with the social sciences.
The review will evaluate the effectiveness of IPBES as a science-policy interface around the four functions of the Platform:
- scientific assessments reviewing the state of knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services,
- policy support,
- building capacity and catalyzing new knowledge, and
- communications and outreach.
The review will examine the efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of the IPBES first work programme (2014-2018), the effectiveness of the institutional arrangements, procedures and operations, financial arrangements, communications, and engagement of stakeholders.
The review panel will deliver its report for the 7th session of the Plenary that will take place in May 2019 in Paris.
About IPBES
Often described as the “IPCC for biodiversity”, IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body comprising 129 member governments. Established by governments in 2012, it provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of knowledge regarding the planet’s biodiversity, ecosystems and the contributions they make to people, as well as the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets.
Review panel
| Name | Affiliation |
| Nicholas King (South Africa/UK) | Independent consultant/researcher in ‘environmental futures’ – global change, systems thinking, resilience and adaptive management; organisational strategic review, strategic planning, transformation and change strategies. |
| Albert S Van Jaarsveld (South Africa) | Vice-Chancelor of the University of Kwa-Zulu-Natal |
| Kalemani Joseph Mulongoy (Congo) | Co-founder and President of the Institute for Enhanced Livelihoods Inc. Co-chair of Regional assessment of biodiversity and ES for Africa |
| Ryo Kohsaka (Japan) | Full Professor at Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Tohoku University |
| Kalpana Chaudhari (India) | Vice President, Institute for sustainable development and research |
| Karen Jenderedjian (Armenia) | Freelance Consultant in WWF Armenian Branch, specialist for protected area management and spatial planning |
| Marina Rosales (Peru) | Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Lima, Faculty Member IUCN Sustainable Use and Livelihoods Specialist Group |
| Selim Louafi (France/Tunisia) | Senior Research Fellow (Political Science/ Science and Technology Studies) at CIRAD |
| Doug Beard (USA) | Associate Director for Climate and Land Use Mission Area (CLU) for the U.S. Geological Survey |
| Peter Bridgewater (Australia/UK) | Adjunct Professor, Institute of Applied Ecology and Institute of Governance and Policy Analysis, University of Canberra |
[related_items ids=”5482,4734,4678″]
