Observer organisations

Conventions, multilateral organizations, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and other organizations that have been approved as observers at previous sessions

Who can become an observer?

An interim procedure set out in paragraph 22 of the report of its first session (IPBES/1/12) has been applied to admit observers at previous sessions. Observers admitted to IPBES 1 to IPBES 7 would be among those admitted to IPBES 8. The interim procedure provides that any body or organization qualified in matters covered by the Platform should inform the secretariat of the Platform of its wish to be represented at sessions of the Plenary. This information is provided to the secretariat during the registration process for participation at Plenary sessions.

Why become an observer?

The rules of procedure for sessions of the Plenary of IPBES provide for the participation of observers in sessions of the Plenary. Observers may, upon the invitation of the Chair, participate in the Plenary without the ability to cast votes or join or block consensus.

How to become an observer?

The registration for IPBES 10, through which organizations can notify the secretariat of their wish to be represented at sessions of the Plenary, is expected to be available in the first half of 2023. A notification on this matter will be issued in due time. The Bureau will review the list of those who expressed their wish to be represented at the session of the Plenary as observers, make recommendations on the admission of new observers, and communicate those recommendations to members of the Platform at least eight weeks before the opening of the second session of the Plenary. If there are concerns among some members of the Platform regarding the request by a body or organization for its admission to be observer of the Plenary, the Bureau will inform the body or organization of such concerns. a member of the Platform may reject the admission of a body or an organization to be an observer of the Plenary, and such rejection will stand unless overruled by two-thirds majority of the members of the Platform present and voting.