25 November 2024|News
The3rdGMS Agricultural Ministers' Meeting(AMM3) was organized by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Kunming, China, during 19-22 November 2024. With the theme "Transforming Agrifood Systems for a Resilient GMS", the AMM3 focused on strategies to achieve the goals to transform the agrifood systems to be more sustainable, resilience and inclusive. It also provided platform for sharing best practices and fostering collaborative efforts on several thematic and cross-cutting issues.
At the invitation of the ADB to lead a session at the AMM3, UNEP-IEMP hosted the session "Gender and Agrifood System Transformation". Ms TatiroseVijitpan, UNEP-IEMP Focal Point of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Portfolio, led the session preparation and organization. As inclusivity has been identified as a key contributing factor to the agrifood system transformation, the session aimed to showcase evidence on gender equality and women’s empowerment in agrifood systems in the GMS in addressing the socio-economic and environmental challenges, including climate change and biodiversity. The session featured a good combination of panelists, offering insights from various angles, i.e. the GMS Gender Strategy in agriculture sector, gender policy in Lao agriculture sector, financial mechanisms for women farmers in Vietnam, empowerment of ethnic minority women in Yunnan and Guangxi of China, and gender inclusive climate-friendly agribusiness. The session concluded with questions from the audience which would inspire replication and upscaling some of the successful initiatives shared during the session.
The group photo of the panelists
Apart from the gender session, UNEP-IEMP also participated in the AMM3’s "Development Partners' Dialogue" session, sharing the work of the UNEP-IEMP in the region on climate, ecosystems and livelihoods aspects related to agriculture, highlighting areas and opportunities to cooperate with other development partners and agencies in the region.
11 November 2024|News
During November 6-7, 2024,the Southeast Asia Biodiversity Workshop was organized in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province of China. Hosted by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the workshop aimed to serve as a critical platform to enable exchange of knowledge, to explore new partnerships, andto facilitatethe establishment of a foundation for future collaborative endeavors in conservation, research, and capacity buildingin Southeast Asia.
Ms TatiroseVijitpan, Focal Point of Greater Mekong Sub-region Portfolio, UNEP-IEMP, attended the workshop. She gave presentation titled "Integrated ecosystem management for sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation", which highlighted the roles of sustainable livelihoods and ecosystem management, especially in engaging the local communities in biodiversity conservation. This is particularly important in addressing the whole-of-society approach of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
She also took the opportunity to discuss with the teams, led by XTBG, of the collaboration project between the National Nature Science Foundation of China (NSFC) and UNEP, titled "Maintenance mechanisms and scale effects of soil nutrient heterogeneity and biodiversity in tropical forests: based on the forest transect from Southwest China to Indo-China peninsula". The project is well-progressed, with firm collaboration from counterparts from Thailand.
Meeting with the team of NSFC-UNEP funded project
At the end of the workshop, discussions were facilitated to further exchange information and explore potential collaboration.
05 November 2024|News
On October 30th and 31st 2024, the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES) and UNEP-IEMP jointly organized the "3rd Young Researchers’ Workshop on River Basin Management in the Context of Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss - Fostering the Science-Policy Interface". The workshop’s overall aim was toadvance interdisciplinary research collaboration in the area of river basin management in the context of biodiversity loss and climate change,specifically between young researchers. It was held online and attended by researchers from China, Germany as well as partners from Asian, European and African countries. This is the third annual workshop in the series, and this year’s theme focused on river basin management.
In her welcome remarks, Prof. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, stressed the important of role of science to support governments and all the stakeholders to take effective actions to tackle planetary crisis, including on the biodiversity loss, and Kunming–MontrealGlobalBiodiversityFramework implementation. As UNEP-IEMP promotes South-South and South-North and triangular cooperation, UNEP-IEMP will continue to be part of this partnership with BfN and CRAES to co-organize this important series of workshop.
The workshop consisted of four presentation sessions, i.e. Ecological protection and restoration of large rivers; Predicting climate change impacts on major river basins; Basin-wide assessment, monitoring and evaluation; and Science pitches. These were mainly for young and senior researchers to share their latest research findings and good practicesin river basin management for climate adaptation, mitigation and biodiversity conservation. The workshop also offered several interactive sessions, including the World Café, where the participants intensively discussed about research gaps, needs, science-policy interface, collaboration, communication and others.
As a key outcome, a briefing note/policy brief will be developed based on the workshop discussions.
29 October 2024|News
October 22, 2024, Cali, Colombia — At the CBD COP16, the side event "Forging Integrated Ecosystem-based Solutions: Sustainable Soil Management in Black Soil Regions for Rio Convention Synergies" was co-hosted by China, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), co-organized by UNEP-IEMP and MEE-TCARE.
For details of the side event, please refer to the reprint 《中国、联合国环境规划署、联合国粮农组织在《生物多样性公约》第十六次缔约方大会上呼吁黑土地的可持续管理》, and the English translation is below.
Cali, Colombia, October 22, 2024 – During the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16), China, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) co-hosted a side event on the sustainable management of black soil. The meeting emphasized the importance of black soil in ensuring food security, maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health, enhancing climate resilience, and supporting livelihoods. It called on all parties to work together to strengthen the sustainable management of black soil to promote the coordinated implementation of the "Rio Conventions".
In her opening remarks, Ms. Doreen Robinson, Director of Biodiversity and Land Branch at the United Nations Environment Programme, pointed out that soil is the important link connecting the "Rio Conventions". She emphasized that investing in black soil means investing in multiple areas simultaneously, including achieving multiple targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Ms. Robinson further noted that providing systemic solutions is crucial, which requires adopting an ecosystem-based integrated approach to coordinate the relationship between human activities and natural processes. In addition, she acknowledged the achievements of the UNEP International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP) in conducting case studies on integrated solutions and its contributions to promoting South-South cooperation.
In China, black soil is known as the "giant panda of cultivated land" and its protection and utilization have received high attention. H.E. Mr. Huang Runqiu, Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) China, introduced China's achievements in protecting black soil, including top-level design, legal safeguards, specific measures, and publicity and communication, and emphasized the importance of systematic thinking, technological innovation, and international cooperation. He called on all parties to "further deepen consensus, strengthen actions, and jointly protect the 'giant panda of cultivated land'.
Mr. Li Lifeng, Director of the Land and Water Division of FAO, warned in his opening remarks that black soil is very susceptible to human impact and can lose biodiversity, so measures need to be taken to protect and utilize it rationally. He highly commended the efforts made by the Chinese government in this regard. At the same time, Dr. Tong Yuxin, coordinator of the FAO International Network for Soil Biodiversity (INBS), shared the global status of black soil and FAO's promotion of relevant international cooperation, pointing out that the sustainable management of black soil is an urgent need to achieve global food security and mitigate climate change.
In recent years, China has made positive progress in exploring models of black soil protection and utilization suitable for its national conditions. The report "Protecting the 'Giant Panda of Cultivated Land' - Typical Cases of Black Soil Ecological Environment Protection in China" released by Technical Centre for Soil, Agriculture and Rural Ecology and Environment, MEE (MEE-TCARE) details several successful cases. In addition, representatives from government agencies, international organizations, academia, and civil society organizations had in-depth discussions on how to transform theory into practice, aiming to find more effective solutions and promote the establishment of broader global partnerships.
This side event was jointly organized by the Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, UNEP, and FAO, and co-organized by UNEP-IEMP and MEE-TCARE,with the support of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, INBS, the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research and the Nanjing Institute of Soil Science of Chinese Academy of Sciences, China Agricultural University, the Rural Energy and Environment Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China, and local partners. Professor Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, moderated over the entire side event. Approximately 60 guests attended the event.
29 October 2024|News
On October 23, 2024, a CBD COP16 side event titled "China's Practices in Promoting the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Through Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approaches" was successfully held in Cali, Colombia, jointly organized by the Chinese Academy of Environmental Sciences, the United Nations Environment Programme International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), and other organizations. The event aimed to share the achievements in biodiversity governance, discuss the opportunities and challenges, and jointly explore solutions to achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At the meeting, Zhang Linxiu, Director of UNEP-IEMP, delivered a keynote speech titled "Community-based agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable use practices," emphasizing that the Earth's ability to provide food is weakening due to environmental degradation, and agricultural biodiversity has become one of the primary adaptation strategies for smallholder farmers. Through case studies, she presented successful experiences in protecting agricultural biodiversity and promoting resilient livelihoods in rural areas of Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and China, as well as the practical achievements of traditional mountain ecosystem biocultural community conservation areas and women-led agricultural cooperatives in Yunnan's Shitu Village and Guangxi's Guzhai Village. Director Zhang Linxiu also specifically pointed out that women are seed keepers and food producers, and empowering women and promoting gender equality are crucial for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. She called for multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral actions, emphasizing the linkages between the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Goals, requiring joint efforts from scientists, producers, consumers, practitioners, and policymakers. Implementing an integrated approach requires supporting action research, linking scientific knowledge with traditional knowledge, which is essential for adapting to increasing uncertainty and a changing environment.
This side event provided a platform for various parties to discuss innovative models and technical monitoring means for biodiversity conservation. Representatives from research institutions introduced the application of the five-sense coordinated ecological monitoring system in biodiversity conservation; representatives from local governments in Yunnan shared the practical experience of local governments in China in biodiversity governance; representatives from the business community explained the background of the establishment of the China Business and Biodiversity Council and its efforts in promoting relevant policies and actions at the enterprise level; representatives from financial institutions discussed how green finance can support biodiversity conservation projects; and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) talked about the contributions of Chinese civil society to biodiversity conservation. Through these multi-perspective and multi-level experience sharing, participants not only deepened their understanding of the importance of biodiversity conservation but also promoted the possibility of cross-sectoral cooperation, injecting new vitality and hope into the realization of the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
29 October 2024|News
October 22, 2024, Cali, Colombia — At the CBD COP16, the side event ‘Biocultural Diversity and Territories: Protecting Mountain Food Systems and IP & LC Solutions to the Biodiversity and Climate Crisis’ was held by Farmers' Seed Network China, co-hosted by UNEP-IEMP. It highlighted the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) in biodiversity conservation through farmer seed systems. At the event, UNEP-IEMP reinforced its commitment to supporting these initiatives, with Director Linxiu Zhang delivering a speech that underscored the need for global action.
In her remarks, Director Zhang emphasized the deep connection between UNEP-IEMP and the Farmers' Seed Network, acknowledging the strong support for the topic among event participants. She highlighted the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and food insecurity, stressing that these challenges must be addressed holistically. She also pointed to the abundance of evidence supporting the success of biodiversity-rich landscapes managed by local communities. These areas, led by IPLCs, offer concrete solutions through cultural heritage and community-based systems that promote sustainable livelihoods.
In a powerful call to action, Director Zhang advocated for stronger representation of IPLCs in global frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. She stressed the need to bring these local voices into mainstream policy discussions, and emphasized the importance of strengthening networks and fostering multi-level cooperation between UN agencies, research institutions, NGOs, and local communities to scale up successful initiatives.
Reflecting on UNEP-IEMP’s role in South-South cooperation, Director Zhang reaffirmed the organization's commitment to promoting integrated approaches that link biodiversity, climate, and food security, and, as the event concluded, encouraged participants to share the stories of success showcased at COP16 with a wider audience, to inspire further action for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development globally.
28 October 2024|News
On October 22, 2024, the CBD COP16 side event titled "Biodiversity Conservation Models and Monitoring Technologies for the Kunming-Montreal Framework" was held in Cali, Colombia. The side event was organized by the Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) China, with the UNEP-IEMP as a co-organizer.
H.E. Mr. Runqiu Huang, Minister of MEE, attended the side event and pointed out in his opening remarks that it is necessary to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation, especially to provide support related to biodiversity conservation models for less developed countries. Moreover, countries that have carried out remote sensing exchanges should provide less developed countries with technical support such as personnel training and resource mobilization.
Professor. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, attended the side event and commented on the reports on topics about "Achieving the 30×30 Target, Sustainable Use, and Resource Mobilization in the Kunming-Montreal Framework." She also provided her remarks on a series of keynote speeches regarding this topic. Director Zhang emphasized that innovative biodiversity conservation models are crucial for achieving the "30×30" target of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). China's Ecological Conservation Redline serves as a global model in this regard, offering valuable experience for biodiversity conservation worldwide. She also highlighted the critical role of biodiversity monitoring technologies in achieving the "30×30" target of the Global Biodiversity Framework. To be specific, scientific assessment of progress and accurate identification of gaps provide a strong basis for effective action by governments and all stakeholders. In this process, scientific support is indispensable, offering tools, data, information, and knowledge to help us better understand the complex links between human and natural systems. In addition, Director Zhang mentioned that research and evidence gathered by UNEP-IEMP and its partners from Africa, Asia, and other developing countries show that community-led initiatives and indigenous practices can make positive contributions to sustainable biodiversity management. High-tech solutions should be tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and capacity-building support is equally crucial.
The side event concluded that with collective efforts, biodiversity conservation will continue to advance to new heights, contributing to a future where humanity and nature coexist harmoniously.
25 October 2024|News
October 18, 2024 –Dr Jian Liu, Director of UNEP Early Warning and Assessment Divisionand the founding director of UNEP-IEMP, and Ms. Quanying Ren, UNEP’s Early Warning for Environment Coordinator, visited UNEP-IEMPand engaged in discussions with UNEP-IEMP staff and students on Early Warning for Environment (EW4E).
A brief presentation was delivered by Ms. Quanying Ren. EW4E is established to complement the Early Warnings for All (EW4All), which is initiated in 2022 by the UN Secretary-Generaland focuses on climate change and related disasters. With the fact that nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste crises also need attention for early warning, EW4E was launched at the sixth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) in February 2024. Led by UNEP, the EW4E’s mission is to protect all developing countries with its services, and together with EW4ALL, to minimise risks of disasters from the triple planetary crisis. The services of the EW4E are (i) Monitoring, Data Collection and Processing, Data Analysis; (ii) AI supported Early Warning Services to Cities and Countries; and (iii) Multi-Media Broadcasts, Rapid Response and Decision-Making System.
After the presentation, there were lively discussions about the active role of AI in the EW4E, the collaboration between NSFC and UNEP, opportunities for the UNEP Member States and potential contributions from UNEP-IEMP.
16 October 2024|News
Beijing, October 16, 2024 –Mr Jorge Laguna Celis, Director of the One Planet Network and Ms Youyi Zhang, Resource Mobilization Expert, visited UNEP-IEMP to explore potential areas of collaboration.
DrLinxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, warmly welcomed the delegation and presented brief introduction of UNEP-IEMP, highlighting its unique role as an extended arm of UNEP on the ground and in partnership with others on South-South Cooperation around the Climate, Ecosystems, and Livelihoods nexus. Mr Jorge Laguna Celis then introduced the 10 Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns (10YFP), as an international commitment agreed at the Rio+20 Conference and the One Planet Network has been formed to implement the commitment of the 10YFP. The network is a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development, generating collective impact through six programmes:Public Procurement,Buildings and Construction,Tourism,Food Systems,Consumer Information,andLifestyles and Education. It is the leading implementation mechanism for Goal 12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The meeting saw a number of common interests and then discussed potential areas of cooperation. These include the science for policy support through research under the cooperation with the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), contributions of UNEP-IEMP to the One Planet Network Forum 2025, and circular economy.
Group photo of attendees
08 October 2024|News
During 26-27 September 2024, the 5th International Delta Forum was successfully held in Dongying City, Shandong Province. The forum is jointly sponsored by the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP), and the Geographical Society of China. With the theme of "Ecology, Agriculture, Science and Technology", the forum aims to carry out academic exchanges on related topics and promote ecological protection and high-quality development among the international delta regions.
The forum consisted of an opening ceremony, keynote and invited presentations, four parallel forums, and field trips. Mr. Guoqiang Yang, Secretary of the CPC Dongying Municipal Committee, accompanied by major leaders of relevant departments of Shandong provincial and Dongying municipal governments, Chinese and international experts and scholars, representatives of entrepreneurs, and officials of the host organizations and partners, attended the opening ceremony. As one of the organizers of the forum, Ms. Linxiu Zhang, Director of UNEP-IEMP, made a speech at the opening ceremony, and subsequently a keynote presentation entitled "Promoting Climate-Ecosystems-Livelihoods Nexus to Enhance the Resilience of Agri-Food Systems". Several researchers from UNEP-IEMP also attended the forum and related activities.
Ms. Linxiu Zhang delivering a speech at the opening ceremony
The forum released the scientific and technological achievements of eco-agriculture in the Yellow River Delta, announced the initiative of establishing an international exchange mechanism of experience in sustainable development of deltas, and unveiled scientific research platforms such as the Land and Sea Interaction Scientific Field Observation and Research Station in the Yellow River Estuary of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Since 2019, UNEP-IEMP has co-sponsored the International Delta Forum with partners, providing an effective platform for promoting international cooperation and development of delta regions and beyond.
