Our Mission
CABES – Capacity Development for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Experts – aims to facilitate a capacity-building framework across Africa in support of the Work Programme of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), particularly in the preparation of IPBES assessments (global, regional, and thematic). CABES serves as a platform to connect scientists from universities, research institutions, and policymakers across Africa in the field of biodiversity and ecosystem services, strengthening the science–policy interface, fostering collaboration, enhancing policy coherence, and reinforcing the expert pool to support and disseminate IPBES assessments.
Our Goals
CABES focuses on equipping professionals across Africa with the skills and knowledge needed to actively contribute to the processes of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The programme is supported by the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN).
Goal one
to inform national decision-making processes amongst multiple stakeholder groups including researchers, practitioners from the public and private sectors, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) holders, women, and IPBES National Focal Points (NFPs) in target countries.
Goal two
to establish a network of science-policy platforms to contribute to the implementation of the IPBES rolling work programmes at national, sub-regional and regional level. Sub-regional refers to countries either in West, Central or East Africa, and the regional level represents the 38 countries.
Goal three
to train early career scientists, researchers and facilitators to manage science-policy interfaces (SPIs). Finally, CABES will develop capacities to support the implementation of political decisions for the management and sustainable use of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services/Nature’s Contributions to People (BES/NCPs).
CABES Introduction Video
Our Latest Post
The SPIBES MSc Program
Partner Universities
University Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB)
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
University of Lubumbashi
Democratic Republic of Congo
Student Testimonials
“This master’s gave me the skills and knowledge I needed to go forward” — Korotoum Tiémongo Soro, Côte d’Ivoire
Korotoum Tiémongo Soro graduated from the SPIBES MSc at Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny in 2022, bringing a background in Agropastoral Economics and Management from Korhogo, Côte d’Ivoire. Since graduating, she has wasted no time putting her training to work — contributing to IPBES assessment reviews, collaborating with the UNCCD National Focal Point, and now serving as a Project Assistant within the CABES project at UFHB. Here, she reflects on how the programme shaped her career and what it continues to offer her.
“I am fascinated by how biodiversity contributes to ecosystem functioning” — Fanoné Tchindébé, Chad
Fanoné Tchindébé is a Zoology graduate from Chad, bringing a strong foundation in animal biology and applied zoology to the SPIBES MSc, which he began in August 2024. Passionate about the complex interactions between species and their habitats, Fanoné is drawn to the programme’s integrated approach — combining theory, practice, and policy to address the biodiversity challenges facing Africa. Here, he shares his motivations for joining SPIBES and his ambitions for the future.
“I want a place at the table among those who design biodiversity policy” — Akaz Malassa Bumba, Angola
Akaz Malassa Bumba is a Marine Biology graduate from Namibe, Angola, embarking on the SPIBES MSc with a clear sense of purpose: to gain a seat at the table where biodiversity policy is designed and implemented. Drawn by a desire to move beyond ecological knowledge into the mechanisms of policy creation and international environmental governance, Akaz hopes the programme will equip him to contribute to the sustainable management of marine and terrestrial resources — in Angola and on the global stage. Here, he shares what brought him to SPIBES and what he hopes to build with it.
