The UN Science-Policy-Business Forum on the Environment (UN-SPBF) is UNEP’s premier multi-sector convening and engagement platform.
Since its inception in 2017, the Forum has become an influential network of networks, earning the support and trust of technology giants, startups, governments and scientific bodies as well as citizen science and civil society. On 5 October 2021, the first of the Forum’s regional mechanisms will be launched in Asia-Pacific, in conjunction with the convening of the 4th session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia-Pacific region, hosted by the Republic of Korea. The inaugural Asia-Pacific Science-Policy-Business (AP-SPBF) will convene virtually as a one-day event, and is made up of the following segments:
High-level Opening A ‘rapid-fire’ panel discussion facilitated in cooperation with Reuters and the Economist Intelligence Unit entitled: ‘Action for Nature in a Post-Covid World’. This segment will explore the dynamic of the post-COVID recovery in the region and the directions governments and the private sector need to take to ensure a nature-positive recovery.
The session is framed around the findings of the IPCC Working Group I report, ‘Climate Change 2021: the Physical Science Basis’, and UNEP’s 2021 report Making Peace with Nature. Both reports call for immediate integrated actions towards tackling the three planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.
Thematic sessions With focus on ‘Managing Risk’, the thematic sessions will cover two issues of regional and global significance: the first on combatting marine plastic pollution and the other on mitigating emerging zoonotic diseases.
Format
Moderated, rapid-fire format where the moderator will lead an engaging conversation with our panelists, aimed at creating greater understanding of diverse perspectives regarding some of today’s most pressing issues.
Open-floor interventions by civil society and citizen science leaders, youth and audience will constitute an important part of the dialogue, which will be streamed live through social media and the Forum’s You-Tube Channel. Journalists are allowed full access to the event. Following the session, all recordings and content will be made available on-demand.
The outcome and recommendations of the inaugural session of the Asia Pacific Science-Policy-Business Forum (AP-SPBF) will be presented at the 4th session of the Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia Pacific, 6 – 7 October 2021, hosted by the Republic of Korea.
