22 February 2016: The Fourth Session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-4) has commenced, with participants expected to adopt IPBES’ first assessment reports on pollinators, pollination and food production; and on scenarios and models of biodiversity and ecosystem services.

The session was formally opened by Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, who underscored the importance of collaboration, including among governments, to achieve the right balance between environmental protection and social and economic development. Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar welcomed delegates “back to Malaysia,” seven years after the first Ad Hoc Intergovernmental and Multi-stakeholder meeting took place and launched discussions on the development of the Platform.

In an initial exchange of views on the draft conclusions of the two assessments, delegates underscored the importance of raising awareness of the report on pollinators, given the links between the decline of pollinators, food security and other ecosystem services. Participants also stressed the significance of the report on scenarios, noting it could serve as a foundation for future IPBES assessments.

The meeting is also expected to adopt scoping reports for: a global assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services; a methodological assessment on the diverse conceptualization of multiple values of nature and its benefits; and thematic assessments on invasive alien species (IAS) and the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Established in 2012, IPBES aims to critically review available knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services and to provide this knowledge to policy makers to inform decision making. IPBES-4 will be held from 22-28 February 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. [IISD RS Coverage of IPBES-4] [IPBES-4 Website] [IPBES Website] [Guest Article by IPBES Executive Secretary Anne Larigauderie] [IISD RS Coverage of Previous IPBES Meetings]