Our Vision
A world where biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecosystem management are valued and prioritized, ensuring human well-being and a resilient planet for generations to come. We envision a future where global commitments to nature such as the Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2050 Vision of “Living in Harmony with Nature” are fully realized through collaborative, evidence-informed actions.
Our Mission
To create spaces for national and regional scientists, policymakers and practitioners to collaboratively design transformative solutions, build knowledge and take strategic action, ensuring healthy and resilient ecosystems. By leveraging the latest IPBES findings and national ecosystem assessments, BES-Net fosters multistakeholder cooperation and promotes evidence-informed decision-making. Our initiatives align with global commitments and contribute to the work of IPBES, enhancing awareness and action for biodiversity conservation.
Our Story
BES-Net’s journey began in 2016 when UNDP’s Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification and UNEP-WCMC partnered, supported by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety’s (BMUV) International Climate Initiative (IKI) and SwedBio at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. The first phase (2016–2022) successfully strengthened institutional coordination among science, policy and practice communities in over 20 countries. This phase built capacity and raised awareness about IPBES assessments, aiding national decision makers in adopting key biodiversity recommendations.
Building on this momentum, BES-Net’s second phase launched in 2020 with continued support from BMUV/IKI and SwedBio, and UNESCO joining as a new partner. Phase II focuses on supporting national ecosystem assessments and fostering collaboration through Trialogues, while prioritizing the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and local voices in decision-making. Additionally, the BES Solution Fund was introduced to provide catalytic investments for locally led biodiversity solutions. This seed fund ensures that global and national knowledge translates into actionable, context-specific strategies for sustainable ecosystem management for strategically selected countries.
