17 October 2012: The Rio Conventions Pavilion convened at the 11th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Hyderabad, India, for Ecosystem Restoration Day. The session began with a keynote speech by James Aronson, Society for Ecological Restoration (SER).

Aronson discussed ecosystem restoration, arguing that it plays a crucial role in all three Rio Conventions. He emphasized that restoration is about social, economic, ecological and political factors. Aronson highlighted The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) study as a key contribution for establishing the relationship between ecosystem services and biodiversity.

Panels convened throughout the day on: inspiring action on the ground – the local context; inspiring action on the ground – the national context; and global partnerships for local results. The day concluded with the presentation of the Hyderabad Call for a Concerted Effort on Ecosystem Restoration. [IISD RS Coverage of Rio Conventions Pavilion]