From 4-17 December 2016, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is holding its Thirteenth Conference of Parties (COP13) in Cancun, Mexico. With an emphasis on agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism, the meeting aims to dismantle sectoral silos by bringing together the range of local, public and private stakeholders who play a key role in managing and safeguarding the world’s biodiversity.

During CBD COP13, about 10,000 participants, including state representatives and international organizations, will meet in Cancun to negotiate agreements and commitments for the conservation of biodiversity, and its sustainability into the future.

The CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA) is bringing the latest scientific research, insights and experiences to discussions held alongside the negotiations. CIFOR scientists will be attending and presenting important and innovative research regarding landscape restoration, food security, gender in forestry and REDD+.

In parallel, the Rio Conventions Pavilion (RCP), which is hosted by the Secretariats of the Rio Conventions and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), serves as a platform for knowledge sharing about research and practice around biodiversity, climate change and sustainable land management.

On 9 December, the RCP will host a Forest and Agriculture Day, organized by the CBD Secretariat in collaboration Bioversity International, CIFOR and ICRAF and various other partners.

Gender will be a cross-cutting theme, with FTA scientists playing a key role in the discussions on gender and forest biodiversity.

Terry Sunderland, Team Leader – Sustainable Landscapes and Food at the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) will be delivering a keynote on the “Gender-differentiated Impacts of Forest Tenure Reforms and Implications for Sustainable Forest Management”.

Dietmar Stoian, Director of the Commodity Systems and Genetic Resources programme at Bioversity International will bring a gender perspective to discussion of the agriculture-forest continuum.

On 14 December, the RCP will further host a half-day on Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Social Inclusion. CIFOR scientist Amy Duchelle will present on the opportunities and challenges to reconciling social and environmental outcomes in conservation initiatives.

Keeping gender and social inclusion on the agenda is essential for achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, the SDGs and a harmonious human-environment relationship to the benefit of all.

For more information on the sessions visit cifor.org