International Symposium on Biodiversity and Sustainability: Linking People and Nature

IR3S, together with the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS), will co-host this symposium that will bring together leading experts to discuss the integration of social and ecological systems, including the valuation of ecosystem services, with a view to contributing to building societies in harmony with nature, achieving the SDGs and promoting sustainability science.

The event will be held in English and Japanese, with simultaneous translation provided.

Background

Biodiversity provides ecosystem services that enable human well-being around the world, and conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems contributes directly and indirectly to the achievement of each of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by the United Nations in September 2015 through provision of food and water, improved health and sanitation, climate change mitigation, disaster-risk reduction, secure livelihoods, opportunities for stronger community bonds, and more.

The Earth’s biodiversity, however, is being lost at an unprecedented rate due to rapid economic and population growth. If this is allowed to continue, humanity may soon be unable to secure a sufficient level of ecosystem services, creating vulnerabilities that could pose significant obstacles to achievement of the SDGs. Since nature presents not only benefits but also threats, such as natural disasters, it is particularly important to build highly resilient societies.

Registration

For more details and registration, please visit the UNU-IAS website.

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