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Bureau

Mandate and Procedures

The Mandate of the Bureau is set out in the functions, operating principles and institutional arrangements of IPBES as contained in the appendix to the resolution establishing IPBES (appendix I to annex I to document UNEP/IPBES.MI/2/9), it includes:

  1. Addressing requests related to IPBES’ programme of work and products that require attention by IPBES between sessions of the Plenary;
  2. Overseeing communication and outreach activities;
  3. Reviewing progress in the implementation of decisions of the Plenary, if so directed by the Plenary;
  4. Monitoring the secretariat’s performance;
  5. Organizing and helping to conduct the sessions of the Plenary;
  6. Reviewing the observance of IPBES’ rules and procedures;
  7. Reviewing the management of resources and observance of financial rules and reporting thereon to the Plenary;
  8. Advising the Plenary on coordination between IPBES and other relevant institutions;
  9. Identifying donors and developing partnership arrangements for the implementation of IPBES’ activities.

The Plenary also assigned to the Bureau various roles in the process of preparing IPBES deliverables, as set out in the Procedures for the preparation of Platform deliverables (annex I to decision IPBES-3/3 and decision IPBES-4/3).

The rules for the operation and election of members of the Bureau are contained in section VII of the Rules of procedure for sessions of the Plenary of IPBES.

IPBES Chair

Members

Dr. Douglas Beard

Dr. Douglas Beard

IPBES Vice-Chair
Chief National Climate Adaptation Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey, National Climate Adaptation Science Center

Past IPBES Chairs

Dr. Robert Watson

Dr. Robert Watson

IPBES Chair
Director for Stategic Development Tyndall Center Department of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia
Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid

Dr. Zakri Abdul Hamid

IPBES Chair
Science Advisor to the Prime Minister Malaysian Industry-Government Group for High Technology

Past Bureau Members

Dr. Robert Watson

Dr. Robert Watson

Western European and other States (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Bureau 2016 - 2019
Dr. Douglas Beard

Dr. Douglas Beard

Western European and other States (United States of America)
Bureau 2019 - 2022
Dr. Robert Watson

Dr. Robert Watson

Western European and other States (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland)
Bureau 2013 - 2016
Dr. Floyd Homer

Dr. Floyd Homer

Latin American and Caribbean States (Trinidad and Tobago)
Bureau 2019 - 2022