The MRI played an active role at the World Biodiversity Forum (WBF) 2024 held in Davos, Switzerland from 16-21 June 2024. The MRI Coordination Office co-convened a session aimed at enriching research, monitoring, and engagement to seamlessly integrate mountains into science-policy processes. Additionally, the MRI’s Mountain Social-Ecological Futures Working Group held its inaugural workshop bringing together experts to exchange innovative ideas and develop new strategies to address the unprecedented climate-driven social-ecological changes affecting mountain regions.
Integrating Mountains in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Monitoring, Research, and Engagement in Regional and Global Policy Processes
At the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), the UN Secretary-General highlighted the urgent need to address biodiversity loss. A side event focused on mountain biodiversity as part of the International Year for Sustainable Mountain Development, emphasizing its protection within the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). COP15 concluded with the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal GBF, setting 2030 goals and calling for resource mobilization and cooperation between developed and developing countries.
Drawing from various cases at multiple scales, this WBF session, “Integrating Mountains in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Monitoring, Research, and Engagement in Regional and Global Policy Processes” held on 18 June 2024, co-convened by the MRI, Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), showcased actions that focus on enhancing research, monitoring, and engagement to help include mountains in science-policy processes, and critically discuss how these contribute to implementing key priorities set within the Kunming-Montreal GBF. Examples included the Convention on Biological Diversity Program of Work on Mountain Biodiversity and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, as well as research providing policy-relevant knowledge on biodiversity-related opportunities for adaptive management of mountain ecosystems and sustainable development.
Speakers and Presentations
- Harnessing Kunming-Montreal Gbf Mechanisms To Elevate Mountain Biodiversity, Presenter: Genevieve Schmoeker (UNEP, Vienna, Austria)
- Understanding Past and Present Mountain Biodiversity To Navigate the Future, Presenter: Rob Marchant (University of York, United Kingdom; MRI Futures Working Group Co-Lead)
- Mountain Biodiversity in Policy Processes: Monitoring, Research, and Reporting, Presenter: Davnah Urbach (GMBA, Bern, Switzerland)
- HKH Crisis: Urgent Call for Actions, Presenter: Sunita Chaudhary (ICIMOD, Kathmandu, Nepal)
- Target 6 of the GBF in Mountains: The IPBES Invasive Alien Species Assessment, Presenter: Aníbal Pauchard (University of Concepción, Chile)
Pictured above are the speakers from the WBF 2024 Session: “Integrating Mountains in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: Monitoring, Research, and Engagement in Regional and Global Policy Processes”: Genevieve Schmoeker, Rob Marchant, Davnah Urbach, Sunita Chaudhary, and Aníbal Pauchard, each delivering their insightful presentations. Also featured is a photo of the session participants and group photo of all five speakers. Photos courtesy of MRI (C. Adler).
Exploring Mountain Social-Ecological Futures
Established in 2023, MRI’s Mountain Social-Ecological Futures Working Group aims to exchange innovative ideas to address unprecedented climate-driven social-ecological changes in mountain areas. Additionally, it seeks to create a community of practice for sustainable resource management.
On 21 June 2024, the working group held its inaugural workshop to present the group and discuss future activities. 18 participants from 13 countries met in Davos, Switzerland to define a roadmap for these goals by taking stock of pertinent issues and deliberating on a position paper.
The workshop saw significant progress, particularly in the following areas:
- Work on a paper for submission to a scientific journal. The core group will continue drafting in August 2024, culminating in a mini-writing workshop in Geneva, Switzerland at the end of the month. The draft will be circulated to all co-authors with the goal of submitting it by the end of September 2024.
- Discussion of future activities for the Mountain Social-Ecological Futures Working Group, including the development of dedicated sessions at the 2025 International Mountain Conference and a contribution to the Southern African Mountain Conference 2025.
- Ongoing discussions regarding collaboration with the MRI’s Mountain Governance and Mountain Resilience Working Groups.
The primary outcome of these efforts will be the formation of an informed community focused on mountain futures. This community will engage in a variety of activities, including synthesizing current knowledge about mountain futures, exchanging approaches and methods to address these challenges, and promoting initiatives to anticipate changes in mountains and enhance the adaptability of local communities.
Pictured above: Impressions from MRI’s Mountain Social-Ecological Futures Working Group Workshop in Davos, Switzerland. Photos courtesy of MRI (C. Adler).
Further WBF Resources
- Browse the book of abstracts (conference procedings) here. or download a PDF here.
- Read the conference resolution, available here.
- View the impressions from WBF2024 here.
Cover image by the MRI (C. Adler).
