The post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework is the most ambitious global plan ever developed for biodiversity and will be the central focus of negotiations at the 15th Convention of Parties of the Convention of Biological Diversity to be held in Montreal, Canada, from 5 – 17 December 2023. A major contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda, the Framework aspires to create a world living in harmony with nature and has an increased focus on marine and coastal biodiversity. Successful implementation of the Framework will require increased investment in the generation and uptake of relevant ocean science and knowledge, and partnerships across diverse groups of actors to transform science and knowledge to scalable action and practical solutions.
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO together with the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, is delighted to be hosting a flagship ocean event at COP15.
An Ocean of Life: Knowledge and Solutions for Marine and Coastal Biodiversity under the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Friday, 16 December 08:30 - 13:00 EST Rio Conventions Pavilion Blue Zone
This event will explore the challenges and opportunities to move from knowledge to action in marine and coastal ecosystems in the context of the post-2020 Framework. It will bring together high level speakers from government, science, industry, and philanthropy to explore the data, infrastructure and knowledge needs of different user groups to inform policy and decision making and showcase global solutions for conserving and restoring marine biodiversity in a changing climate.
The event will also launch a major new publication highlighting the role of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development in achieving the ambitions of the post-2020 Framework.
Outline Programme
8:30 – 9:00 Registration and Coffee
9:00 – 9:30 High Level Opening
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Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
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Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, CBD Executive Secretary
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Peter Thomson, United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for the Ocean
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H.E. Thérèse Coffey, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs of the United Kingdom
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H.E. Tanya Plibersek, Minister for Environment and Water, Australia
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Jochen Flasbarth, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany
9:30 – 9:45 Keynote: To Montreal and beyond for the ocean: Challenges, opportunities and priorities for marine biodiversity in the post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
- David Obura, Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa
9:45 – 10:45 Session 1: Marine and coastal biodiversity knowledge needs for policy and society in the context of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Moderator: Ellen Stofan, Under Secretary for Science and Research, Smithsonian Institution
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Anya Waite, Associate Vice-President Research (Ocean) of Dalhousie University and Scientific Director and CEO of the Ocean Frontier Institute
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Steven Dickinson, Group Biodiversity Specialist & Senior Environment Advisor, TotalEnergies
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Malu Nunes, Executive Director of Boticario Group Foundation
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Paul Snelgrove, Research Professor at Memorial University of Newfoundland
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Steve Widdicombe, Director of Science for Plymouth Marine Laboratory
- Fae Sapsford, Marine research fellow, Sargasso Sea Commission
10:45 – 11:15 Coffee Break
11:15 – 12:10 Session 2: Solutions for conserving and restoring marine biodiversity in the context of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Moderator: Ms. Vera Agostini, Deputy Director of FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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Alice Ortmann, Research Scientist at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and co-chair of the AORA Marine Microbiology Working Group
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Loreley Picourt, Executive Director at Ocean & Climate Platform
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Clement Yow Mulalap, Adviser (Legal). Permanent Mission of the Federated States of Micronesia to the United Nations
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Kim Friedman, Senior Fishery Resources Officer, Marine and Inland Fisheries Division, FAO
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Francisco Armando ARIAS-ISAZA, General Director of the Marine and Coastal Research Institute “José Benito Vives de Andreis”,INVEMAR, Colombia
- Andrew Rhodes, Special Envoy for Oceans attached to the Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Mexico
12:10 – 12:35 Priorities for joint action across UN conventions and policy processes to 2030
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Julian Barbière, Head of Section Marine Policy & Regional Coordination, IOC-UNESCO & Ocean Decade Coordinator
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Jane Lubchenco, Deputy Director for Climate and the Environment at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
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H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, COP28 UAE Representative
- Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, Special Envoy of the President for UNOC 2025, Ambassador for Poles and Oceans, France
12:35 – 12:55 High Level Closing
- H.E. Espen Barth Eide, Norway's Minister of Climate and Environment
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H.E Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
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Vladimir Ryabinin, Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and Assistant Director-General of UNESCO
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Watch the event live here