Members and Observers

IPBES was established in 2012 by 94 governments, and its membership has continued to grow as IPBES' impact has increased.

Members

Who can become a member?
All States Members of the United Nations are eligible for IPBES membership.

Why become a member?
To strengthen knowledge foundations for better policy through science, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

How to become a member?
Should your Government wish to join IPBES, this intention should be officially communicated to the IPBES secretariat from the relevant governmental authority. For example, this can take the form of a formal letter from the relevant Government Minister.

Observers

All States Members of the United Nations that are not members of IPBES (listed as Observer States in the table below), conventions, multilateral organizations, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and other organizations that have been approved as observers at the previous sessions. The list of Observer organisations is available here 

Members and observers

Country Status Region Member since
Tonga Observer Asia-Pacific States
Togo Member African States
Timor-Leste Observer Asia-Pacific States
Thailand Member Asia-Pacific States
Tajikistan Member Asia-Pacific States
Syrian Arab Republic Observer Asia-Pacific States
Switzerland Member Western European and other States
Sweden Member Western European and other States
Suriname Member Latin American and Caribbean States
Sudan Member African States

All parties that adopted the resolution on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on at the second session of the plenary meeting to determine the modalities and institutional arrangements for IPBES, held from 16 – 21 April 2012 in Panama City became members on 21 April 2012.