9 January 2014: The Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has announced the availability of the advance English version of the report summarizing the second session of the IPBES Plenary (IPBES-2) and has called for the nomination of experts relevant to the meeting’s outcomes. The report and meeting decisions will be made available in additional languages in the future.

The Chair of Plenary, Zakri Abdul Hamid, has also circulated a letter highlighting the achievements of IPBES-2, calling for the nomination of experts for, inter alia: a task force on capacity building; a task force on indigenous and local knowledge systems; a task force on knowledge and data for implementation; an expert group to implement the work programme deliverable on the development of a guide to the production and integration of assessments from and across all levels; developing an assessment on pollination and pollinators associated with food production; and developing a methodological assessment on scenario analysis and modeling of biodiversity and ecosystem services. A deadline of 28 February 2014 has been set for receipt of such nominations by the Secretariat.

Zakri also highlighted opportunities to provide in-kind support and to express relevant capacity-building needs. IPBES-2 was held in Antalya, Turkey from 9-14 December 2013. [Report of the second session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services] [IPBES News] [IISD RS coverage of IPBES-2]