The Government of Azuay, together with the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (nrg4SD) and the Consortium of Ecuadorian Provincial Governments (CONGOPE), as well as the technical support of the Ministry of Environment of Ecuador, The National Institute of Biodiversity and the International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL-QUITO) prepare to welcome regional authorities and experts, academia, community leaders and other levels of governments from all over the world at the International Conference on Biodiversity “A Territorial Rights based Approach to Biodiversity”  taking place on 21 – 22 June, in Cuenca/Azuay, Ecuador. The event will be held alongside the nrg4SD Annual General Assembly meeting (19 – 20 June), and will be an important step towards the CBD COP14, to be held in November 2018, in Egypt.

The International Conference on Biodiversity emerges from the urgent need to strengthen the dialogue between regional governments and academia, community leaders and representatives from national and local governments in order to accelerate biodiversity conservation. Therefore, the event is conceived in a diversified program, integrating spaces for discussion and the exchange of experiences, which will contribute to improve multilevel coordination and public policies at all levels.

The Conference also celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) by emphasizing the role of regional governments to the achievement of the Aichi Targets, and also towards defining a post-2020 framework for the global biodiversity agenda. In this regard, the event will also consider biodiversity in the context of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In addition to the SDG 15, about Life on Land, the Conference will address the linkages between biodiversity and other SDGs, on tackling poverty, hunger and climate change, and its connections to women and indigenous peoples.

“The International Conference “A Territorial Rights’ based Approach to Biodiversity” is an opportunity for regional governments to scale up good practices, overcome challenges and accelerate the implementation of its commitments on biodiversity, through multi-thematic and multi-stakeholder dialogue”. Natalia Vera, Secretary General – nrg4SD

The aim of the Conference is to promote and develop better decisions and strategies developed by the actors of the different levels of government, in order to enhance the effective and efficient implementation of commitments for the conservation of biodiversity.

The specific goals are:

• Identify and exchange experiences of policies, programs and good practices led by regional governments for the conservation of biodiversity in their territories.
• Deepen the dialogue between regional and other levels of government, academia and key stakeholders, around biodiversity issues to identify concrete legislative and executive actions that improve multilevel articulation and the implementation of programs aimed at achieving the global goals.
• Prepare the contribution of regional governments to the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 14).

The event will bring the opportunity to position a cross-cutting topic affecting environment and sustainability as a whole, and therefore the economic development models too. It will also mainstream the issue into the public debate, particularly through local stakeholders and Universities, which will show-case their research efforts in the topics to be discussed.

The themes to be discussed during the Conference are:

1. Aichi Targets, SDGs, Climate Change and the role of regional governments;
2. Public policies and governance for biodiversity conservation
3. Endangered species, fragile and threatened ecosystems;
4. Gender and Biodiversity;
5. Local communities, Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity;
6. Biodiversity integration in industrial, infrastructure and bio-commerce sectors.

Following one of the specific goals, as a result of the International Conference, the regions will sign a joint position paper that will be presented by the Government of Ecuador at COP14 of the CBD on behalf of nrg4SD and the regional governments in the world. This paper will represent a powerful message on the need to strengthen the collaboration among all levels of governments and confirms the crucial role regional governments can play in supporting and complementing Parties’ efforts to achieve the global biodiversity targets.

“The life of this and future generations depends on our care for nature and the conservation of the environment. It is the responsibility of governments and civil society to care for them. I invite you to protect the resources of Mother Nature that will guarantee the survival of humanity, and to join our efforts from the different levels of government to which we belong to save the planet.” – Paul Carrasco Carpio, President of Azuay

“Ecuador is one of the 17 countries rated as megadiverse. Discussing about Biodiversity in our territory will have that special motivation. The Conference hopes to be the starting point to motivate more effective actions for multilevel articulation, recognizing the fundamental role that the regional governments play in the world in order to reach the global goals.” – María Cecilia Alvarado, Vice-President of Azuay, President for the South of ngr4SD

Click here to download the agenda of the Conference

And check on the video invitations made by our hosts!

For more information about the Conference, consult the full concept note in English, Spanish or French.