Context: The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) was recently selected as one of the two recipients of the 2024 Blue Planet Prize.

Blue Planet Prize

• About: It is awarded annually to individuals and organizations to recognize outstanding achievements in scientific research and its application.
• Awarded by: Japan’s Asahi Glass Foundation
• Establishment: In 1992, the year of the Earth Summit.
• Focus: These achievements must have helped provide solutions to global environmental problems.
• Award: $500,000.

Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)

• About: It is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for biodiversity and ecosystem services for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.
• Foundation: It was established in Panama City, in 2012 by 94 Governments. 
• Headquarter: Bonn, Germany.
• Relation with UN: It is not a United Nations body.  However, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides secretariat services to IPBES.  
• Membership: IPBES currently has 143 member States. Any State that is Member of the United Nations is eligible for IPBES membership.

• IPBES Structure:

oPlenary: The governing body of IPBES – made up of the representatives of IPBES member States – usually meets once per year

oObservers: Any State not yet a member of IPBES; the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other biodiversity-related conventions; related UN bodies; as well as many other relevant organizations and agencies.

• Function:

oAssessments: On specific themes (e.g., “Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production”).

oPolicy Support: Identifying policy-relevant tools and methodologies, facilitating their use, and catalysing their further development.

oBuilding Capacity & Knowledge: Identifying and meeting the priority capacity, knowledge and data needs of our member States, experts and stakeholders.

oCommunications & Outreach: Ensuring the widest reach and impact of our work.