The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Regional Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) convened consultations in Quito, Ecuador (24-25 November), Bogota, Colombia (30 November-1 December), Guatemala City, Guatemala (3-4 December 2009) as part of a regional initiative entitled “Biodiversity and Ecosystems: Why these are Important for Sustained Growth and Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean.” The initiative was organized to prepare a report on the role of biodiversity in wealth generation and support of wellbeing in the region.

The first consultation was held in Mexico City from 13-14 August, the second in Lima, Peru from 24-25 September and the third in Caracas, Venezuela from 4-5 November. Others are scheduled for Brasilia, Brazil and Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (for the Caribbean), in January 2010. Each consultation seeks the inputs of national experts and stakeholders.
Links to further information
Information on the fourth consultation
IISD RS coverage of the fifth consultation
IISD RS coverage of the sixth consultation