Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity Speaks at the University
On 10 June 2014, Dr Braulio Dias delivered a keynote speech on the evolution of the international biodiversity regime and its future directions. Dr Dias' presentation was followed by an academic-practitioner panel discussion.
Watch Dr Braulio Dias' keynote speech
Evolution of the international biodiversity regime and its future directions
On 10 June 2014, Dr Braulio Dias, Executive Secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, delivered a keynote speech on the evolution of the international biodiversity regime and its future directions.
Dr Dias made his presentation at a public event organized under the aegis of the Global Environment and Society Academy of the University of Edinburgh, with support from the School of Law and the Scottish Centre for International Law.
Dr Dias obtained his PhD in Zoology from the University of Edinburgh in 1981, and took office as Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2011.
Drawing also on his experience as one of the negotiators of the Convention and as a player in its implementation in Brazil, Dr Dias' keynote speech focused on the development and implementation of the 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and its Aichi Targets.
He emphasized the importance of mainstreaming biodiversity and showing that conservation is part of the solution to global sustainable development challenges.
Panel discussion
Dr Dias' presentation was followed by an academic-practitioner panel discussion. Panelists included: Ian Jardine, Chief Executive of the Scottish Natural Heritage, Dr Janet Fisher, Edinburgh School of Geosciences (expert in ecosystem services) and Dr Meriwether Wilson, Edinburgh School of Geosciences (expert in marine science and policy), as well as Dr Elisa Morgera, Edinburgh School of Law (expert in international biodiversity law), who chaired the event.
The panel discussed access and benefit-sharing, the need to connect international negotiations and local implementers, blue growth and compliance issues. Several questions were then raised by the audience, ranging from synthetic biology to biofuels, island biodiversity and oceans governance.
The event was attended by around 80 people representing students and academic staff of the University of Edinburgh, as well as researchers and practitioners from Scotland and England.