19 June 2014: The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has released the first draft of a guidance document addressing the scoping of IPBES deliverable 2b, on regional and sub-regional assessments. The draft guidance is being circulated to member States and observers for comments to assist the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) and Bureau with its finalization.

The process is meant to develop the proposed scoping of the regional/sub-regional assessments for consideration by the third IPBES Plenary to be held in January 2015. As reflected in the last paragraph of the letter from the Chair of IPBES, dated 30 May 2014, the draft guidance has been prepared by the MEP and the Bureau. According to the draft guidance, the scoping process will develop the proposed substantive scope of the assessments, including common generic issues across regions, as well as more specific issues for each region/sub-region.

Comments on the draft guidance are due to the IPBES Secretariat by 3 July 2014. [Guidance Document for Scoping of IPBES Deliverable 2b on Regional and Sub-regional Assessments]