Events and Publications
Event
CABES was present at the IPBES 11 Stakeholder day in Windhoek, Namibia
IPBES-11 Stakeholder Day event took place prior to #IPBES11 – the eleventh session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), on Monday, 9 December 2024, at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia. The event was organised by the Open-ended Network of IPBES Stakeholders (ONeT).
As the first IPBES Stakeholder Day event on the African continent, CABES was well represented, showcasing our capacity development initiatives during the different session of the event
Event
CABES organised a regional science-policy-practice dialogue in Windhoek, Namibia
CABES organised a regional “collaborative science-policy-practice hub“, which took place on the evening of the IPBES-11 Stakeholder Day on the 9 December, 2024 at the Protea Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of our capacity building initiatives, provide an update on implementation progress, as well as open up a networking space for IPBES 11 delegates.
Event
CABES representatives were at the IPBES 11 Plenary in Windhoek, Namibia
CABES was well represented at the IPBES 11 Plenary session, which took place between 10 – 16 December, 2024 at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia. CABES team took active part in regional consultation meetings, and also provided support to their respective IPBES National Focal Points. The plenary culminated in the adoption and launch of the IPBES Nexus Assessment, as well Transformative Change Assessment reports.
Event
CABES organised a peer-to-peer learning event ahead of the IPBES 11th plenary
As part of our CABES Capacity Development Programme – CCDP for professionals, CABES organized a peer-to-peer learning event to prepare delegates for the 11th IPBES plenary in Namibia. The event took place from 8 to 9 October, 2024 in Lubumbashi, DRC. The event brought together experienced and new IPBES and CBD National Focal Points from East, Central and West Africa, who actively discussed relevant documents for the IPBES 11th Plenary and identified key issues that could be raised and discussed at the Plenary.
Event
CABES first Central Africa sub-regional science-policy-practice dialogue
CABES first sub-regional Central Africa workshop, hosted by the University of Lubumbashi, took place from October 10-11, 2024 in Democratic Republic of Congo, under the theme: “Development of Multi–stakeholder Biodiversity Platforms: increasing contributions to National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and IPBES activities”.
Launch Event
CABES launches a free, self-paced version of the course: "Developing national science-policy-practice platforms"
🚨 We’re excited to announce the launch of the free, self-paced version of our course “Developing national science-policy-practice platforms“!
Developed jointly by CABES consortium partners; CoKnow Consulting and UNEP-WCMC, this course will provide you with the knowledge to establish, manage & sustain national biodiversity platforms.
📚 Available in English & French
🏆 Certificate upon completion
Open to all—start now!
Event
CABES Training on the utilization of IPBES assessments
As part of our CABES Capacity Development Programme – CCDP for professionals, we organized the first face-to-face training from November 6 to 7 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on “the utilization of IPBES assessment outcomes in national policy making“. The training brought together IPBES and CBD national focal points, as well as scientists from East, Central and West Africa who actively discussed tactics and strategies for the uptake of IPBES outcomes.
Event
CABES First East Africa sub-regional science-policy-practise dialogue
CABES first sub-regional workshop, hosted by the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network-Addis Ababa University, took place from November 8-9, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme: “The Road to a Desired Future: the IPBES Nature Futures Framework and Science-Policy-Practice Interface for People-Planet Harmony”.
Event
IPBES Nature Futures Framework (NFF) - stakeholder consultation
A section of the East African sub-Regional workshop was dedicated to training on, and hands-on activity on The IPBES Nature Futures Framework, which is a new conceptual framework and heuristic tool to explore plausible scenarios for a desirable future. By considering the complex properties, interactions and feedback that operate in nature, the NFF emerged from stakeholder consultations that gathered a wide range of visions of desirable futures for people and biodiversity.
Launch event
Launch of CABES e-learning portal!
The CABES Capacity Development Programme CCDP – for professionals started with the launch of the CABES e-learning portal! Our first online course: Train the Trainers – developing, organizing and teaching online courses on the 17 – 18 October 2023 was delivered to more than 40 participants from 22 different countries in Africa and beyond. Register in our CABES e-learning portal to get frequent updates on our courses!
Event
CABES "Meet and Greet" event
CABES organised a “meet and greet” event, which took place on the evening of the IPBES-10 Stakeholder Day on the 27 August, 2023 at the Centre for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn. The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of CABES’ capacity building initiatives and to provide an update on their progress.
Blog post
Plastic pandemonium: exposing the dark side of African waste management by Orina A. & Talemwa W.
The blockbuster animated film Wall-E is one of the critical films of contemporary society. It follows the life of a robot in a dystopian future, and without giving too much away, this sci-fi movie is closer to reality than we realise. As it reveals the unsettling parallels between fantasy and truth. Plastic pollution and waste management in African cities are reminiscent of the enthralling sequences in Wall-E. Pollution can be regulated and avoided; nonetheless, humans choose to ignore it.
Event
CABES was present at the 2nd International Conference on Biodiversity in the Congo Basin
The Second International Conference on Biodiversity in the Congo Basin was held in Kisangani, DRC Congo, from 6 -10 March, 2023. It was organized by the Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences’ (RBINS) CEBioS (Capacities for Biodiversity and Sustainable Development) initiative and the University of Kisangani’s Biodiversity Monitoring Center (CSB).
Event
CABES at the 6th IPBES Capacity Building Forum in Nairobi
The sixth meeting of the IPBES Capacity-Building Forum held at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2023.The CABES team, led by Prof. Mekuria Argaw and Dr. Paul Kazaba, attended the event and were joined by our SPIBES MSc. scholars, Ms. Angelina Serwaa and Mr. Andrew Orina.
Event
CABES was present at the International Biodiversity Day celebrated in Ethiopia
The International Biodiversity Day under the theme “Agreement to Action to Build Back Biodiversity” and in giving emphasis to the commemoration day, the 1st International Research Conference on” Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management: Opportunities and Challenges”, were celebrated & conducted on May 22–23, 2023, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Event
CABES was present at the IPBES-9 Stakeholder Day
IPBES-9 Stakeholder Day event took place prior to #IPBES9 – the ninth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), on Saturday, 2 July 2022, at the World Conference Center, Bonn, Germany.
Event
CABES first sub-Regional Workshop, Central Africa
CABES organised its first virtual sub-regional workshop on ‘Fostering Africa-IPBES Engagement: The roles of stakeholders in Central Africa’. The workshop took place on 8 September 2022 with the objective of introducing the CABES Programme, its Sub regional Science-Policy-Practitioner Interface (SPPIs), and discussing the role of stakeholders in project implementation in the sub-region.
Event
CABES first Regional Workshop in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
CABES organized its first regional workshop on: “Co-development of strategies for sustainability in Africa: Use of the products of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and the Environment (IPBES).” The workshop held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire from 25 – 27 October 2022.
Update on Activities
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Policy Brief, Publications, SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- IPBES Events, Policy Brief, Publications
- Blog Post, CABES e-learning portal
- CABES e-learning portal
- IPBES Events, Policy Brief, Publications
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Events, Policy Brief, Publications, Workshop
- CABES e-learning portal, Events
- Bulletin Politique, Events, Policy Brief, Publications, Workshop
- IPBES Events, Policy Brief, Publications
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- SPIBES Students & Alumni Corner
- Events, Policy Brief, Publications, Workshop
- Events, Policy Brief, Publications, Workshop
- IPBES Events, Policy Brief, Publications
SPIBES student Andrew Remmy Muwaza publishes policy brief on freshwater ecosystem resilience in eastern Uganda
SPIBES East Africa student Andrew Remmy Muwaza has produced a policy brief assessing the socio-ecological resilience outcomes of wetland restoration in Uganda’s Sironko River wetland. Drawing on macroinvertebrate surveys, vegetation assessments, a 10-year landscape analysis, and interviews with 292 households across 12 villages, the brief finds that restoration efforts have fallen short of delivering genuine resilience — and makes a compelling case for a fundamentally more integrated approach.
SPIBES student Ahmed Yousuf Abdi publishes a policy brief on climate adaptation and forest conservation in Somaliland
SPIBES East Africa student Ahmed Yousuf Abdi has produced a policy brief examining how climate change is affecting forest biodiversity and the livelihoods of agro-pastoral communities in Geed Deeble Forest, Somaliland. Drawing on 24 years of satellite vegetation data and surveys of 130 households across three livelihood groups, the brief reveals a landscape recovering in greenness but still deeply vulnerable — and calls for stronger community-led conservation and more effective policy implementation.
SPIBES student Antoinette Emeldah Moleele publishes policy brief on biodiversity and climate governance in Botswana
SPIBES East Africa student Antoinette Emeldah Moleele has produced a policy brief examining how the biodiversity-climate nexus can be used to strengthen conservation policy and decision-making in Botswana, using the Mokolodi Nature Reserve as a case study. Drawing on expert interviews, a futures thinking workshop with 40 stakeholders, and 30 years of land use change analysis, the brief makes the case for an environment-centred policy framework that tackles climate change and biodiversity loss together.
Insights into the research outputs of our SPIBES MSc graduates
From coastal lagoons in Benin to refugee settlements in Uganda, the SPIBES MSc programme has trained a new generation of African biodiversity and ecosystem services
SPIBES student Irene Mbuthye Mwendwa publishes policy brief on wetland restoration and fishing livelihoods in Kenya
SPIBES East Africa student Irene Mbuthye Mwendwa has produced a policy brief examining the ecological and socioeconomic effects of mangrove restoration on artisanal fishing communities in Watamu, Kenya. Drawing on ecological transect surveys and interviews with fishers and key stakeholders, the brief reveals a nuanced picture — restoration is improving habitats and supporting livelihoods, but wider fishing pressures continue to constrain long-term outcomes.
SPIBES student Nthiwa Christbell Ndunge publishes policy brief on invasive cactus control in Kenya
SPIBES East Africa student Nthiwa Christbell Ndunge has produced a policy brief evaluating the effectiveness of Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR) as a strategy for controlling the invasive cactus Opuntia stricta in Maiyanat Community Conservancy, Laikipia County, Kenya. Drawing on ecological assessments across 100 plots and community interviews, the brief demonstrates that ANR significantly improves rangeland recovery and calls for a dedicated national policy framework to support long-term management.
SPIBES student Tsion Fikadu Nigussie publishes policy brief on urban forest conservation in Addis Ababa
SPIBES East Africa student Tsion Fikadu Nigussie has produced a policy brief assessing the biodiversity, habitat quality, and ecosystem services of the Entoto Mountain Forest in Addis Ababa — one of Ethiopia’s most significant urban forests. Using InVEST modelling and the IPBES Nature Futures Framework, combined with stakeholder interviews and floristic inventories, the brief offers evidence-based recommendations for sustainable forest management and long-term conservation financing.
SPIBES student Pie Fleury Irankeje publishes policy brief on palm species decline in Rusizi National Park, Burundi
SPIBES East Africa student Pie Fleury Irankeje has produced a policy brief examining the ecological and socioeconomic drivers of decline in Hyphaene petersiana (Umukoko), a palm species of significant ecological and cultural importance in Burundi’s Rusizi National Park. Drawing on field data from 60 sample plots and 150 household interviews, the brief calls for an integrated policy response that balances community livelihoods with long-term biodiversity conservation.
SPIBES student Fiyori Mebratu publishes policy brief on urban watershed management in Addis Ababa
SPIBES East Africa student Fiyori Mebratu has produced a policy brief examining how biodiversity and ecosystem services can be integrated into urban climate adaptation strategies in Ethiopia, using the Little Akaki River sub-watershed in Addis Ababa as a case study. Drawing on floristic inventories, land use modelling, and scenario analysis, the brief offers concrete recommendations for policymakers working on sustainable urban development.
SPIBES student Isaya Busanya Masolele publishes policy brief on vulture conservation in Tanzania
We are pleased to share a policy brief produced by Isaya Busanya Masolele, a current student in the SPIBES East Africa programme. The brief, titled
Indigenous Voices: Biodiversity Conservation and Conflict in Virunga National Park
In one of the DRC’s most militarised regions, CTA and CABES convened rural women and Indigenous Pygmy peoples for a participatory dialogue on conservation and conflict in Virunga National Park. This report captures their voices, challenges, and co-produced recommendations.
CABES/RESPIN Hosts First West Africa Sub-Regional Workshop on Integrated Biodiversity and Climate Policies
The CABES/RESPIN First West Africa Sub-Regional Workshop, hosted by the West African Science Service Centre on Climate Change and Adapted Land Use (WASCAL), took place
3rd CABES peer-to-peer learning event to prepare for the 12th IPBES Plenary
As part of the CABES Capacity Development Programme (CCDP) for professionals, CABES in collaboration with FRB (Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversité) organized its
Second free, self-paced course: “UNESCO course: Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Science-Policy-Practice Interfaces in Africa”
🚨 We’re excited to announce the launch of our second free, self-paced version of our course “UNESCO course: Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Science-Policy-Practice
CABES at the Second Africa Climate Summit: Advancing Biodiversity and Climate Resilience in the Horn of Africa
The Second Africa Climate Summit, held from 8–10 September 2025 in Addis Ababa, convened African leaders, policymakers, researchers, and international partners under the theme “Accelerating
Harmony with Nature: SPIBES Students Celebrate International Biodiversity Day in the DRC
In May 2025, SPIBES MSc students organised Lubumbashi’s first-ever International Biodiversity Day conference at the Faculty of Agronomic Sciences. Read the activity report covering key
CABES engagement with Indigenous San People in Namibia: guided walking tour
Read the full report
CABES representatives were at the IPBES 11 Plenary in Windhoek, Namibia
CABES was well represented at the IPBES 11 Plenary session, which took place between 10 – 16 December, 2024 at the Mercure Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia. CABES team
SPIBES Alumni, Ms. Rejoice Matangi was present at the IPBES 11 Plenary in Windhoek, Namibia
IPBES-11 Stakeholder Day event took place prior to #IPBES11 – the eleventh session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
CABES organised a regional science-policy-practice dialogue in Windhoek, Namibia
CABES organised a regional “collaborative science-policy-practice hub“, which took place on the evening of the IPBES-11 Stakeholder Day on the 9 December, 2024 at the Protea Hotel,
Report: CABES participation at the IPBES 11th Stakeholder Day in Windhoek, Namibia
The IPBES 11th Stakeholder Day, held on December 9, 2024, brought together a dynamic mix of researchers, policymakers, indigenous community representatives, and practitioners. CABES took
CABES Policy Brief No. 6: “National Collaboration for KM-GBF Implementation: Integrating IPBES Assessments Findings in NBSAPs”
The sixth CABES policy brief summarises the strategic requirement for integrating robust scientific knowledge into national biodiversity planning (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans), a
CABES launches a free, self-paced version of the course: “Developing national science-policy-practice platforms”
🚨 We’re excited to announce the launch of the free, self-paced version of our course “Developing national science-policy-practice platforms“! Developed jointly by CABES consortium partners;
CABES first Central Africa sub-regional science-policy-practice dialogue
CABES first sub-regional Central Africa workshop, hosted by the University of Lubumbashi, took place from October 10-11, 2024 in Democratic Republic of Congo, under the theme: “Development of
CABES organised a peer-to-peer learning event ahead of the IPBES 11th plenary
As part of our CABES Capacity Development Programme – CCDP for professionals, CABES organized a peer-to-peer learning event to prepare delegates for the 11th IPBES
CABES Policy Brief No. 5: “The Road to a Desired Future: Leveraging on IPBES assessments and tools for people-planet harmony (Vision 2050)”
The fifth CABES policy brief summarises the key outcomes of the first CABES Sub-Regional Workshop for East-Africa, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, (November 2023). The
IPBES Nature Futures Framework (NFF) – stakeholder consultation
A section of the East African sub-Regional workshop was dedicated to training on, and hands-on activity on The IPBES Nature Futures Framework, which is a new
CABES First East Africa sub-regional science-policy-practise dialogue
CABES first sub-regional workshop, hosted by the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Center and Network-Addis Ababa University, took place from November 8-9, 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
CABES Training on the utilization of IPBES assessments
As part of our CABES Capacity Development Programme – CCDP for professionals we organized our first face-to-face training from November 6 to 7 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
Launch of CABES e-learning portal!
The CABES Capacity Development Programme CCDP – for professionals started with the launch of the CABES e-learning portal! Our first online course: Train the Trainers – developing, organizing
CABES “Meet and Greet” event
CABES organised a “meet and greet” event, which took place on the evening of the IPBES-10 Stakeholder Day on the 27 August, 2023 at the
Plastic pandemonium: exposing the dark side of African waste management by Orina A. & Talemwa W.
Figure 1: Scattered waste, mainly comprised single use plastics in Bingerville. Photo credit: Talemwa W The blockbuster animated film Wall-E is one of the critical
Flight of meaning: birds as harbingers of ecosystem health by Andrew Orina
The Giraffe Centre is a magnificent wildlife sanctuary in Nairobi, Kenya. This unique environment, nestled in the Nairobi dry highland forest, demonstrates the intricate interplay
Exciting Internship Experience at the Ghana’s Forestry Commission! by Angelina Serwaa
The internship program within the SPIBES MSc. program aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, allowing students to update their knowledge through real-world
CABES was present at the International Biodiversity Day celebrated in Ethiopia
The International Biodiversity Day under the theme “Agreement to Action to Build Back Biodiversity” and in giving emphasis to the commemoration day, the 1st International
SPIBES students were present at the 6th IPBES Capacity Building Forum in Nairobi
The sixth meeting of the IPBES Capacity-Building Forum held at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2023.The CABES team, led by
CABES at the 6th IPBES Capacity Building Forum in Nairobi
The sixth meeting of the IPBES Capacity-Building Forum held at the National Museums of Kenya in Nairobi, Kenya, on 12 May 2023.The CABES team, led by
Cultural crossroads: exploring Nairobi’s natural wonders and a glimpse of Abidjan’s urban greenery by Serwaa A. & Orina A.
Introduction Nairobi, the vibrant capital city of Kenya, offers a captivating blend of natural beauty and urban sophistication. Arriving at Nairobi airport in the early
CABES was present at the 2nd International Conference on Biodiversity in the Congo Basin
The Second International Conference on Biodiversity in the Congo Basin was held in Kisangani, DRC Congo, from 6 -10 March, 2023. It was organized by
CABES Policy Brief No. 3: “Strenghtening Collaboration: Integrating Science, Policy, and Social Equity for Biodiversity & Sustainable Development in Africa”
The third CABES policy brief summarises the outcomes and recommendations from the first CABES Regional Workshop, held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from October 25 to
CABES Policy Brief No. 2: “Fostering the Engagement of Central African Stakeholders in IPBES”
The second CABES policy brief summarises the outcomes and recommendations from the first CABES Central Africa Stakeholder Workshop, held online on September 8th 2022. Focus
CABES first Regional Workshop in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Africa is a biodiversity-rich continent where communities are highly dependent on natural resources for sustenance and livelihoods. However, “there are limited information on wild species
CABES first sub-Regional Workshop, Central Africa
Africa is facing enormous challenges with regard to sustainable development in light of changing climate and the global biodiversity crisis1. A significant proportion of the
CABES was present at the IPBES-9 Stakeholder Day
IPBES-9 Stakeholder Day event took place prior to #IPBES9 – the ninth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
