Report: CABES participation at the IPBES 11th Stakeholder Day in Windhoek, Namibia
The IPBES 11th Stakeholder Day, held on December 9, 2024, brought together a dynamic mix of researchers, policymakers, indigenous community representatives, and practitioners. CABES took center stage in several key sessions, showcasing its commitment to promoting multistakeholder engagement and capacity building to advance the goals of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
One of the highlights was the session on “Uptake of IPBES Results in Africa“. CABES representative Isimemen Osemwegie delivered an inspiring presentation on leveraging multistakeholder engagement for capacity building. Her insights emphasized how CABES supports the science-policy-practice interface, empowering African stakeholders to make the most of IPBES tools and resources. This session also featured other initiatives from the LANd Use SYNergies and CONflicts within the framework of the 2030 Agenda (LANUSYNCON) and CRC Future Rural Africa, coordinated at, or with a link to the Center for Development Research, University of Bonn, Germany.
Figure 1 Isimemen Osemwegie presenting on multistakeholder engagement. Photo credit: Sarah Verleysdonk
Later in the day, the “IPBES Stakeholder Marketplace” provided an interactive and dynamic environment for participants to engage with various organizations, including CABES. Here, CABES had the chance to highlight its innovative strategies and programs, offering attendees a deeper understanding of its work in facilitating biodiversity knowledge sharing and capacity building.
Figure 2 CABES booth at the Stakeholder Marketplace
Figure 3 Prof. Mylor Schutcha delivering his presentation
During the panel discussion “Working Together for Better Impact,” Prof. Mylor Shutcha represented CABES and shared the organization’s experiences in strengthening and/or establishing national biodiversity platforms. The panel explored ways to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders, and CABES’s model of engagement was highlighted as a practical example of effective multistakeholder cooperation. The insights of Dr. Feleke, the IPBES National Focal Point of Ethiopia, reinforced CABES’s role in uniting diverse voices at the national level to engage with IPBES and tackle biodiversity challenges.
Overall, CABES’s substantive contributions throughout the event illuminated its essential role in advancing IPBES’s mission. By delivering insightful presentations, facilitating knowledge-sharing initiatives, and fostering collaborative engagement, CABES not only demonstrated its expertise but also inspired meaningful partnerships among stakeholders. The event reaffirmed CABES’s status as a vanguard initiative in the realm of biodiversity and ecosystem services across Africa.
The IPBES Stakeholder day was organised by the Open-ended Network of IPBES Stakeholders (ONeT).
