12th Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Plenary  in  Manchester  

Target Malaria recently attended the 12th Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), held in Manchester, UK. IPBES, established in 2012, provides independent, peer-reviewed scientific assessments on biodiversity, ecosystem services, and their contributions to people.

With 136 member governments, its work often informs global policy decisions, including those made under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The week opened with Stakeholder Day, which offers non‑governmental participants insight into the agenda and opportunities to contribute to ongoing IPBES work. Sessions included a briefing by the authors of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment and an introduction to ONET, a subsidiary group that coordinates stakeholder involvement.

The plenary began with high‑level statements from UK government representatives and UN officials. The first major task was negotiating the Summary for Policymakers (SPM) of the Business and Biodiversity Assessment. Much like CBD negotiations, delegates reviewed text line‑by‑line in working and contact groups, with observers contributing only when time allowed. A key distinguishing feature was the active presence of assessment authors, who ensured that any proposed changes remained consistent with the underlying evidence. This emphasis on scientific accuracy was notable and aligns strongly with Target Malaria’s commitment to evidence‑based dialogue.