Nexus Dialogue on Biodiversity – Biodiversity Mainstreaming in the context of Human Security and Well-being, 2 – 3 May 2018

The first Nexus Dialogue of the 2018 series explored the interlinkages of Biodiversity with Human Security and Wellbeing during two days in Geneva. The Dialogue considered how the UN agencies and their partners can enhance their collaboration as well as individual efforts to support the implementation of  the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The outcome of the Dialogue Nature Opportunities for Human Security can be found here.

The Dialogue was organized in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, with the support of the Swiss Government and the technical support of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the World Wide Fund for Nature.

You can view the recorded sessions here.

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Please see below the list of the speakers in each session and their presentations:

Day one – Video

Opening and Introduction

  • Cristiana Pașca Palmer, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (video message)
  • Elliott Harris, UN Assistant Secretary-General, Economic Development and Chief Economist in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (via skype)
  • Ambassador Michael Gerber, Special Envoy for Global Sustainable Development, Switzerland (presentation)
  • Marco Lambertini, Director General, WWF International
  • Mehrnaz Mostafavi, Chief, UN Human Security Unit (HSU) (statement)
  • Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Director, Implementation Support Division, CBD
  • Hossein Fadaei, Head of UN EMG Secretariat – Welcome remarks
  • Neville Ash, Director, UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre – Lead Moderator of the Dialogue

Political Security and Biodiversity

  • Moderator: Sofie Flensborg, Legal Officer, CITES
  • Soo Young Hwang, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR (presentation)
  • Dr. Claudia Ituarte Lima, Researcher on International Environmental Law, Stockholm Resilience Centre and Advisor, SwedBio (presentation)
  • Dr. Caroline Howe, Lecturer, Imperial College London (presentation)

Health Security and Biodiversity

  • Moderator: Cristina Romanelli, Interagency Liaison on Biodiversity and Health, CBD-WHO
  • Elaine Fletcher, Senior Editor, WHO
  • Dr. Anna Zongollowicz, Senior Specialist, Research & Analysis, WWF International
  • Dr. Peter Stoett, Dean and Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences at University of Ontario Institute of Technology (via skype)
  • Catherine Machalaba, Policy Advisor, EcoHealth Alliance (via skype) (presentation)

Water Security and Biodiversity

  • Moderator: Meriem Bouamrane, UNESCO
  • Dr. Blanca Elena Jiménez-Cisneros, UNESCO-International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO-IHP) (presentation)
  • Stuart Orr, Practice Leader, Freshwater, WWF International
  • Dr. Megan Jensen, Marine Environment Division, IMO (presentation)

Food Security and Biodiversity

  • Moderator: Balakrishna Pisupati, Chairperson, FLEDGE
  • Marieta Sakalian, Coordinator for Healthy & Productive Ecosystems Sub-Programme, UN Environment (presentation)
  • Irene Hoffmann, Secretary of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO
  • Joyce Njoro, Lead Technical Specialist – Nutrition-sensitive Agriculture & Rural Development IFAD (presentation)
  • Dionys Forster, Sourcing Specialist, Nestlé (presentation)

Day two – Video

Biodiversity, Climate Change and Eco DRR

  • Moderator: Dr. Gretchen Walters, Advisor on Nature based Solutions, IUCN (presentation)
  • Reza Salamat, Division for Sustainable Development, UN DESA (presentation)
  • Dr. Karen Sudmeier-Rieux, Senior advisor, Disaster Risk Reduction, UN Environment (presentation)
  • Karin Zaunberger, Policy Officer, European Commission (presentation)

Trade and Trafficking of Biodiversity

  • Moderator: Paola Deda, Chief, ECE-FAO Forestry and Timber Section, UNECE
  • Markus Pikart, Programme Support Officer, CITES (presentation)
  • Lorena Jaramillo, Economic Affairs Officer, UNCTAD
  • Florian Steierer, Economic Affairs Officer, UNECE/FAO Forestry and Timber Section Forests, Land and Housing Division, UNECE (presentation)
  • Pierre du Plessis, ABS Initiative

Biodiversity, Conflict and Migration

  • Moderator and speaker: Philippe Puydarrieux, Lead Natural Resource Economist, IUCN (presentation)
  • Asif Zaidi, Senior Advisor, Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, Policy and Programme Division, UN Environment (presentation)
  • Dina Ionesco, Head of Division, Migration, Environment and Climate Change, IOM
  • Lin Yan Hsiao, IUCN CEESP Theme on Environment+Peace (presentation)
  • Carl Bruch, Director, International Programs, Environmental Law Institute (via skype) (slide and talking points)

Communication Strategies

  • Moderator: Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Director, Implementation Support Division, CBD and David Ainsworth, Information Officer, CBD
  • Sudhanshu Sarronwala, Executive Director, Marketing & Communications, WWF International (presentation)
  • Ricardo Tejada, Director Global Communications, IUCN (presentation)
  • Jeff Melnyk, Founding Partner, Within People (presentation)
  • Inga Petersen, Senior Extractives Advisor, Post-Conflict and Disaster Management branch, UN Environment (mapping tool)

Summarizing the findings of these two days and setting the scene for HLPF

  • Neville Ash, Director, UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre – Lead Moderator of the Dialogue
  • Hossein Fadaei, Head of UN Environment Management Group Secretariat
  • Mehrnaz Mostafavi, Chief, UN Human Security Unit (HSU)
  • Jyoti Mathur-Filipp, Director, Implementation Support Division, CBD