Theme: Biodiversity Education for Transformative Change- Implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through Learning and Action

Education Day will provide a dedicated platform for Parties and other stakeholders to explore the role of biodiversity education in supporting implementation of the Framework and the Convention through advancing the topic of education, in particular through the draft Global Plan of Action on Education for Biodiversity (GPA-EB). The event will be held in-person.

The main partners organizing this event are:

• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization,

• The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Commission on Education and Communication (IUCN CEC)

• The Armenia COP Presidency

Other partners involved are the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD), World Wildlife Fund and African Wildlife Foundation.

Background

The importance of Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA), and Article 13, in advancing the objectives of the CBD were reaffirmed by the sixteenth Conference of the Parties through Decision 16/10 on CEPA. Through this decision, Parties requested the development of a GPA-EB and highlighted the role of biodiversity education in fostering biodiversity literacy, whole-of-society engagement and transformative change necessary for the implementation of the Framework. Target 21 of the Framework ensures that knowledge is available and accessible to guide biodiversity action.

Objectives

Education Day will provide an opportunity for participants from a variety of stakeholders from different academic and professional backgrounds to learn about, discuss and increase buy-in and support for the draft GPA-EB. The expected participants include Governmental entities, educational institutions, international and non-governmental organizations, environmental educators, and private sector partners attending the Blue Zone at COP 17.

Participants will also be invited to attend to learn and exchange best practices to strengthen coherence of the GPA-EB with other relevant global initiatives and frameworks including among others:

• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Education for Sustainable Development: Towards Achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030);

• The Greening Education Partnership;

• The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE).

Expected Outcomes

The Education Day will have panel discussions, interactive sessions, presentations and a reception to promote ongoing dialogue, partnership-building and knowledge exchange among key actors from the biodiversity and education communities to implement the GPA-EB.

The Education Day is also expected to:

1. Raise awareness of the role of education to implement the Convention, including the GPA-EB and its priority areas for action;

2. Strengthen recognition of biodiversity education as a foundation for achieving the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Target 21, and other global frameworks;

3. Showcase innovative policies, programmes and best practices and challenges in advancing biodiversity learning and nature-based education;

4. Foster dialogue and collaboration among governments, educational institutions, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth, civil society organizations, international organizations and other stakeholders;

5. Mobilize partnerships and commitments to support implementation of biodiversity education initiatives at all levels.

6. Encourage the development and implementation of actions at the national level to align the programme of work on CEPA to the Framework.