91Â鶹¹ú²ú¾«Æ·×ÔÅÄ

In a world facing the tripe crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and pollution, the latest IPBES assessments offer critical insights into how we can shift toward a more sustainable and harmonious future: the Thematic assessment of the interlinkages among biodiversity, water, food and health (Nexus assessment) and the Thematic assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss, determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 vision for biodiversity (Transformative change assessment).

As the global community seeks solutions, UNESCO's collaborative work with IPBES continues to play a key role in bridging knowledge, policy, and action for a planet in need of urgent care.

The highlights that real change requires more than just incremental adjustments—it demands a fundamental rethinking of the systems that shape our world. Transformative change encompasses shifts in governance, economic models, societal values, and the way we interact with nature. This paradigm shift is crucial if we are to address the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human well-being.

The underscores the need to address the complex relationships between biodiversity, climate, and development. The "nexus" approach acknowledges that these issues are interlinked and that sustainable solutions must tackle all three areas simultaneously. The assessment emphasizes that the path forward lies in integrating these dimensions into decision-making processes, offering a roadmap for countries and communities to navigate the difficult terrain ahead.

At the heart of this transformative work is UNESCO's long-standing partnership with IPBES. As a key UN partner, UNESCO is hosting the Indigenous and Local Knowledge Technical Support Unit leading the charge in weaving indigenous knowledge into IPBES assessments. It ensures that the knowledge and practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are woven into the fabric of global biodiversity assessments.

Moreover, UNESCO’s involvement with BES-Net—the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network as a consortium of UNDP, UNEP-WCMC and UNESCO—complements the IPBES assessments, helping to guide the uptake of knowledge and catalyze action grounded in the lived experiences of communities worldwide.

UNESCO designated biosphere reserves are already providing good governance practices that are key to both address the nexus and for transformative change strategies.

Home to Peru's last mangrove forests, the Noroeste Amotapes-Manglares Biosphere Reserve faces specific threats like aquaculture, sedimentation, water pollution and illegal logging. Since 2017, the National Service of Natural Protected Areas of Peru (SERNANP) has entrusted six local fisher associations with the environmental management of the Tumbes Mangroves National Sanctuary, following their request and in recognition of their participatory management and contribution to the conservation of this important ecosystem. This co-management model has helped fishers to focus on sustainable livelihoods to repopulate economically important species like the black conch (Anadera tuberculosa), mangrove crabs (Ucides occidentalis), and fishes (e.g. Diapterus peruvianus) and they have so far reintroduced nearly 37 million larvae, seeds and fry of these species. Fishers guarantee local livelihoods and participate in local patrols thereby helping to maintain the mangrove’s ecological integrity. The UNESCO MangRes project financed by the Government of Flanders (Belgium) supports biosphere reserve management by conducting a baseline biophysical assessment of mangrove restoration, engaging stakeholders, and providing environmental education for youth.

This initiative is not only a model of transformative change but also showcases how the nexus approach can be implemented at the local level. By combining local knowledge with modern scientific research, the initiative is an example of how collaboration and integration can lead to sustainable solutions, benefiting both people and the planet.

As the world moves toward the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the findings of the IPBES Transformative change and Nexus assessments will guide countries, communities, and decision-makers in shaping the future of biodiversity and sustainable development. UNESCO continues to work to ensure that this knowledge reaches everyone, empowering local actors and encouraging global ones to implement the changes necessary for a sustainable world.