Program Session

Session 1 : Opening and Welcome
Date Monday, 13 October 2014, 9:00 - 10:30
Summary The opening session will provide introductions and set the scene and tone for the event as a whole. Participants will be welcomed by the hosts and partners of the Biodiversity Summit, and a short ceremony will signify the handover from the previous hosts in India, to the current hosts in Korea. An overview and outline of the event will be provided, including introducing the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution on Cities and Subnational Governments for Biodiversity, and making the goals and context of the Biodiversity Summit 2014 clear.
Outcomes Delegates will be made to feel welcome and will gain a broad understanding of the Biodiversity Summit, its goals, purpose and sessions, and will be introduced to the hosts and partners, generating interest for the days ahead.
Guiding questions What are the goals and purpose of the Biodiversity Summit and what will be achieved?
How will the process work to endorse the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution?
Methodology Facilitator : Ms. Monika Zimmermann, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability
Ms. Yeonhee Park, Director, ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability, Korea
Welcome
• Dr. Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD)
• Honourable Yeonman Jeong, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Environment (Korea)
• Honourable Moonsoon Choi, Governor, Gangwon Province (Korea)
• Honourable Sisung Kim, Chairperson, Gangwon Provincial Council (Korea)
• Mr. David Cadman, President, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Handing over the flag
• Honourable Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, Forest Minister, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad (India)
• Honourable Sri Jogu Ramanna, Minister for Forest & Environment, Telangana (India)
• Honourable Mohammad Majid Hussain, Mayor, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (India)
• Honourable Moonsoon Choi, Governor, Gangwon Province (Korea)
• Honourable Jaekook Sim, Governor, Pyeongchang County (Korea)
Purpose and outline of the Biodiversity Summit, as well as introduction to the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution
• Ms. Shela Patrickson, Manager, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Cities Biodiversity Center
The importance of Subnational Implementation in the context of CBD COP 12
• Mr. André Mader, Programme Officer, Local Authorities and Biodiversity, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Environment Programme.

 

Session 2 : Local and Subnational Governments for Sustainable Development -The context in which we work
Date Monday, 13 October 2014, 11:00 . 12:30
Summary This session will demonstrate the ways in which cities and other subnational governments are contributing to the implementation not only of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), but also the broader Post-2015 Development Agenda. The process underway to outline the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) will be explored, and in particular work towards the Urban SDG. The work of the Advisory Committee of Cities and the Advisory Committee of Subnational Governments to the Global Partnership on Local and Subnational Action for Biodiversity, will demonstrate this contribution. Representatives from the Advisory Committees of Cities and Subnational Governments to the Global Partnership on Biodiversity will each review their progress and illustrate examples of their work to support Parties and implement the CBD Strategic Plan.
Outcomes Delegates consider the work of cities and other subnational governments in the light of their global contribution to the implementation of the CBD and of the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Participants will gain understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and the role of cities and subnational governments in the global arena.
Guiding questions

What are the Sustainable Development Goals, and how does urban biodiversity feature?
How can cities and subnational governments contribute to the Post-2015 Development Agenda?
What is the Global Partnership on Biodiversity, and what are local and subnational governments doing to support Parties to implement the CBD Strategic Plan?
Methodology Facilitator : Mr. André Mader, Programme Officer, Local Authorities and Biodiversity, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Environment Programme
Biodiversity and cities in the SDGs
• Mr. Andrew Rudd, Urban Environment Officer, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat
• Prof. Thomas Elmqvist, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University
• Dr. Cyriaque Sendashonga, Global Director, Programme and Policy Group, IUCN
The Global Partnership on Local and Subnational Action for Biodiversity Advisory Committees on Cities / Subnational Governments and Biodiversity:
• Honourable Mohammad Majid Hussain, Mayor, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (India)
• Honourable Reinhard Limbach, Deputy Mayor, City of Bonn (Germany)
• Ms Marta Subirà i Roca, Director General for Environmental Policy, Government of Catalonia (Spain)
• Ms Claude Audet-Robitaille, Advisor, International Organisations and Global Issues Quebec Province (Canada)
• Mr. Paul Dale, Technical Advisor, Secretariat for the Environment, São Paulo State (Brazil)

 

Session 3 : Research - Understanding the science - policy　interface
Date Monday, 13 October 2014, 11:00 ‐ 12:30
Summary This session will demonstrate the importance of research for effective urban biodiversity management, and for the implementation of the CBD. Similarly, the need for effective communication between local and subnational governments and researchers with regards to critical research agendas will be explored. Links to a relevant parallel meeting and a research agenda that is currently being compiled will be illustrated, and prominent scientists will discuss the issue in detail.
Outcomes Increased dialogue between researchers, cities and subnational governments. Participants, especially city government employees, appreciate the importance of science in urban biodiversity management, and are able to see its relevance to their work. Researchers are able to increase their understanding of what questions cities and subnational governments need scientific information for.
Guiding questions

Sound decision-making depends on sound science, but how can we bridge the gap between science and policy, and between researchers and decision-makers?
How can cities and subnational governments inform policy-relevant biodiversity research, and how can research provide relevant and applicable information?
What is the global urban biodiversity research agenda, and what were the outcomes of the 2014 Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO) Conference?
Methodology Facilitator : Mr. Russell Galt, Project Coordinator, Biodiversity Information Management Directorate, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
Report from the Urban Biodiversity and Design (URBIO) Conference 2014 :
• Prof. Namchoon Kim, President, Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Techniques; Organiser, URBIO Conference 2014
• Prof. Norbert Müller, Department of Landscape Management & Restoration Ecology, University of Applied Sciences, Erfurt; President, Urban Biodiversity and Design Network (URBIO)
Urban biodiversity research :
• Honourable Jonggeel Je, Mayor, Ansan City (Korea)
• Prof. Thomas Elmqvist, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University
• Dr. José Puppim de Oliviera, Senior Research Fellow, United Nations University, Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS)
• Dr. David Maddox, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Nature of Cities; Principal at Urban Oikos Partners LLC, New York; URBIS Advisory Board Chair.
• Mr. Donald Hobern, Executive Secretary, Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

 

Session 4 : Biodiversity Planning - Designing a greener future
Date Monday, 13 October 2014, 15:30 – 17:15
Summary This session will demonstrate the importance of cooperation between levels of government in order to translate the Strategic Plan of the CBD into biodiversity plans at the local and subnational level. A recently conducted study to explore the links and alignment between government levels around biodiversity planning will be referenced. The Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan (BSAP) of hosts, Gangwon Province, will also be highlighted.
Outcomes Participants appreciate, and learn more about, the ways in which different levels can work together to achieve more in terms of biodiversity planning.
Guiding questions

How can vertical integration between government levels be strengthened for improved synergy and cooperation? What are some existing innovative examples?
What does the Gangwon BSAP include, and how is the Province working to implement the CBD at this level?
Methodology Facilitator : Ms. Shela Patrickson, Manager, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Cities Biodiversity Center
Alignment between local, subnational and national governments in terms of biodiversity planning
• Honourable Choonghon Cho, Mayor, Suncheon City (Korea)
• Ms. Kadri Tillemann, Rapporteur of the European Union Committee of the Regions on Multi-level Governance of Natural Capital; Chair, Keila Rural Municipality Council (Estonia)
• Ms. Kelly Torck, Manager, National Biodiversity Policy, Environment Canada, Environmental Ministry (Canada)
• Ms. Jacqueline Kozak-Thiel, Sustainability Coordinator, Hawaii State (USA)
• Mr. Steve Hounsell, Chair, Ontario Biodiversity Council, Ontario Province (Canada)
• Ms. Natasha Govender, Specialist Ecologist, eThekwini Municipality, Environment Planning and Climate Protection Department (South Africa)
• Dr. Roberto Brandão Cavalcanti, Secretary of Biodiversity and Forests, Ministry of Environment, Brazil National Government (Brazil)
Gangwon Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan: This session will provide an overview and demonstration of the Gangwon BSAP.
• Mr. Duglae Kim, Director General, Support Bureau of Gangwon Provincial government for CBD/COP12 (Korea)

 

Session 5 : Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution on Cities and Subnational Governments for Biodiversity
Date Monday, 13 October 2014, 17:15 – 18:00
Summary This session will provide an opportunity for feedback and discussion on the content of the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution. The Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution is a statement compiled from as many local and subnational governments before the Summit, on increasing the effective implementation of the CBD at the local and subnational level. The Resolution will outline the importance of local and subnational governments, areas where more support and collaboration is needed between government levels, and other suggestions for building on the Plan of Action for Subnational Governments, Cities and other Local Authorities for Biodiversity, as well as other relevant Decisions. This session will allow consideration of essential final changes if any are proposed. The Resolution will be delivered to the CBD COP by the Gangwon Governor.
Outcomes Participants are given sufficient opportunity to comment on the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution throughout the day, and including in this session, and to understand its content.
Guiding questions

What is the role of local and subnational governments in the implementation of the CBD?
What support is required from national governments in order for local and subnational governments to effectively contribute to the global objectives of the CBD?
Methodology Facilitator : Ms. Monika Zimmermann, Deputy Secretary General, ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution – discussion with audience and partners
• Mr. André Mader, Programme Officer, Local Authorities and Biodiversity, Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, United Nations Environment Programme
• Ms. Shela Patrickson, Manager, ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability Cities Biodiversity Center
• Ms. Chantal van Ham, EU Programme Officer, Focal point for local and regional authorities, IUCN
• Mr. Andrew Rudd, Urban Environment Officer, Urban Planning and Design Branch, UN-Habitat
• Local Agenda 21

 

Session 6 : Implementation - People and Conservation
Date Tuesday, 14 October 2014, 9:00 – 10:15
Summary

This session will explore and illustrate how the CBD is being implemented by cities and subnational governments, with input from different levels of government to demonstrate how this can better be achieved through cooperation. By involving local stakeholders, including communities and citizens, the private sector, as well as political leaders, the support gained will enhance effective implementation and awareness. Communication, education and public awareness, especially with regards to ecosystems restoration and ecotourism will be discussed.
Outcomes Participants will gain a sense of what is being achieved globally at the subnational level and the ways in which cooperation between levels of government can assist. Participants will be inspired by the ideas and examples that are discussed.
Guiding questions

How can participatory approaches and awareness-raising with a range of stakeholders contribute to biodiversity conservation at the subnational and city level?
What are some of the innovative ways that subnational and local governments are educating and involving stakeholders?
Methodology Facilitator : Mr. Sunandan Tiwari, Deputy Director, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability South Asia Secretariat

Facilitator : Mr. Sunandan Tiwari, Deputy Director, ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability South Asia Secretariat
• Mr. Kwanghee Nam, Director General, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of Environment (Korea)
• Honourable Soonsun Lee, Governor, Inje County (Korea)
• Mr. Masaru Horikami, Director, Office for Mainstreaming Biodiversity, Ministry of the Environment (Japan)
• Ms. Nopasika Malta Qwathekana, Senior Policy Adviser; CBD Technical (Principal) Focal Point, International Biodiversity and Heritage Cooperation, Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), National Government of South Africa (South Africa)
• Mr. Masao Hayakawa, Co-director on Biodiversity Promotion, Environmental Planning Department, Environmental Affairs Bureau, City of Nagoya (Japan)
• Mr. Yoshikazu Naito, Director, Promotion of Green Policy, Natural Environment Division, Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Japan)
• Mr. Paul Baskcomb, Acting General Manager of Growth & Development, City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario (Canada)

 

Session 7 : The Green Creative Economy - Reconciling parallel systems
Date Tuesday, 14 October 2014, 10:30 – 12:00
Summary This session will demonstrate the dependence of the economy on biodiversity and how exploring the value of biodiversity can facilitate its conservation and sustainable use. Through an objective discussion involving both economists and biodiversity practitioners, the session will demonstrate an alternative way to think about the economy and ecology, and how to prevent conflicting development priorities. In addition, financial mechanisms for biodiversity conservation will be explored, such as green procurement, ecological infrastructure, as well as investments and rewards for ecosystem services.
Outcomes Participants will gain an improved understanding of the value of nature, and how it can be used as a tool for the implementation of the CBD.
Guiding questions

How can biodiversity support a productive green economy?
How can biodiversity practitioners and economists work more effectively together?
Methodology Facilitator : Ms. Chantal van Ham, EU Programme Officer, Focal point for local and regional authorities, IUCN
Discussing the green creative economy
• Mr. Han Qunli, Director, Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences, Secretary, Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme, UNESCO
• Dr. Tanya Abrahamse, CEO, South African National Biodiversity Institute
• Dr. Katia Karousakis, Biodiversity lead – Climate, Biodiversity and Water Division, Environment Directorate, OECD
• Cllr Johannes van der Merwe, Mayoral Committee Member, Energy, Environment and Spatial Planning, Cape Town (South Africa)
• Ms. Elsie Lefebvre, Associate Councillor, Executive Committee and President of the Water, Environment, Sustainable Development, and Large Parks Commission, City of Montréal (Canada)
• Ms. Wan Ping, Director, Natural Ecology Department, Sichuan Environmental Protection, Sichuan Province (Republic of China)
• Closing : Dr. Pavan Sukhdev, Special Advisor and Head of UNEP’s Green Economy Initiative (TEEB)

 

Session 8 : Mayorsand Governors Roundtable - The Urban Nexus
Date Tuesday, 14 October 2014, 13:00 – 14:15
Objective

This session will demonstrate effective leadership of selected city and subnational governments in the field of biodiversity, with a focus on how to support the mainstreaming of biodiversity into municipal governance. Other cross-cutting themes such as climate change, disaster risk reduction, resilience, water and other aspects of sustainable development will also be discussed in the context of integrated biodiversity governance and policy.
Outcomes Participants will be inspired by the participation and examples of key city and subnational government leaders, and will have increased insight into what has made these local and subnational governments into leaders in the global arena.
Guiding questions How are leading cities and subnational governments integrating biodiversity across sectors, and what are some of the common challenges in doing so?
Methodology Facilitator : Mr. David Cadman, President, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability
Mayors’ and Governors Roundtable
• Honourable Taeyoung Yeom, Mayor, Suwon City (Korea)
• Honourable Hideaki Ohmura, Governor, Aichi Prefecture (Japan)
• Honourable Troy Pickard, Mayor, Joondalup (Australia); ICLEI GExComm
• Honourable Mubarak Sserunga Munyagwa, Mayor, Kampala Capital City Authority, Kawempe Division Urban Council (Uganda)
• Honourable Alain Chabrolle, Vice President, Government of Rhône-Alpes Region, Regional Council (France)
• Honourable Makhaya Merriman Twabu, Executive Mayor, Mbizana Local Municipality (South Africa)

 

Session 9 : Overview and Closing
Date Tuesday, 14 October 2014, 14:15 – 14:4
Objective In the closing session, a final overview of the amended Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution will be presented, and an outline of the next steps for the Resolution will be shared with all participants. Thanking all delegates for their participation, the Summit will be formally closed.
Outcomes Participants feel that the Summit has been sufficiently concluded and are satisfied with the output of the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution. Delegates are given the opportunity to appreciate the intervention of the high-level representatives.
Guiding questions

What is the final version of the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution, and what are the next steps for taking this important document forward?
What are the conclusions and outcomes from the Biodiversity Summit?
Methodology Facilitator : Ms. Yeonhee Park, Director, ICLEI ‐ Local Governments for Sustainability Korea Office
Closing of the Summit and overview of the Gangwon/Pyeongchang Resolution :
• Honourable Moonsoon Choi, Governor, Gangwon Province (Korea)
• Mr. David Cadman, President, ICLEI ‐ Local Governments for Sustainability
• Ms. Amy Fraenkel, Principal Officer of Mainstreaming, Partnerships and Outreach, SCBD