Moderator: Ms. Ameenah Gurib Fakim, former President of Mauritius

15:00 – 15:10

Introductory remarks

·       Ms. Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Secretary of the Environment Management Group

15:10 – 15:30

Keynote addresses: what are the key systemic challenges in integrating biodiversity for sustainable development?

·       H.E. Ms. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment of Egypt, President of CBD COP 14

·       Mr. Liu Ning, Deputy Director General, Department of Nature and Ecology Conservation, Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China, Host Government of CBD COP 15

15:30 – 15:40

Audience engagement: Online survey on Menti.com

·       How can the UN system contribute more effectively to the implementation of agreed global commitments and national priorities needed to set the world on path towards a more sustainable and equitable future with a focus on biodiversity which provides the foundation for life on Earth?

15:40 – 16:20

Panel discussion: From Commitments to Action – Accountability and Engagement for transformative system change to halt the loss of and restore biodiversity

·       Ms. Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

·       Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

·       Mr. QU Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

·       Ms. Shamila Nair Bedouelle , Assistant Director General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

·       Mr. Samba Thiam, Senior Development Policy Advisor to the Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

16:20 – 16:30

Conclusions and next steps

·       Ms. Elisabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) – Video Message

·       Ms. Ligia Noronha, UN Assistant Secretary-General and Secretary of the EMG