Nature is essential to the existence of humanity; it plays fundamental roles in providing food, energy, and genetic resources. Through its ecology and evolutionary processes, it sustains the quality of air and water, resources upon which humanity depends for survival. 

However, in the last 50 years, biodiversity loss and deterioration have occurred. have increased on an unprecedented scale. The biggest direct drivers are land-use and sea-use change; overexploitation of natural resources, climate change, and pollution. Indirect drivers, on the other hand, are based on social values and behaviors that include environmentally harmful production and consumption patterns, and human population dynamics and trends.

Latin America harbors a rich biological diversity: approximately 60% of the planet's terrestrial life, along with a variety of marine and freshwater flora and fauna. 178 ecological regions have been identified, representing more than 50% of the planet's biodiversity and containing the habitats of 40% of the world's flora and fauna species. Furthermore, between 25% and 50% of Latin American species are endemic (MacArthur Foundation, 2011).

In May 2019, the Intergovernmental Science-Regulatory Platform on Biological Diversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published an alarming report on the state of biodiversity and ecosystems globally, estimating that one million species are in danger of extinction. 

Local governments are fundamental in addressing these global challenges, as they operate on the front lines and possess the necessary knowledge to protect nature and biodiversity. To this end, it is essential to have spaces for coordination and information sharing to broaden the debate on key actions related to this issue and the reach of these initiatives. 

Therefore, the International Biodiversity Forum met between April 19 and 22. Representatives from local and national governments, academia, third-sector organizations, and community representatives will aim to increase the visibility of inspiring practices in biodiversity management and conservation, ecosystem services, ecological connectivity, the benefits of nature on quality of life, sustainable food production, climate emergency mitigation and adaptation, health, and resilience to natural hazards and disasters. 

Organized by Consortium of Autonomous Provincial Governments of Ecuador (CONGOPE), in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Vocational Training and Research (UNITAR), the WWF-Brazil The International Training Center for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL Ecuador), the Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development (REGIONS4), and the Forum of Regions of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG). 

The virtual meeting It was supported by the project “Protected Areas and other area-based conservation measures at the local government level” implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in cooperation with ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

Rodrigo Perpétuo, executive secretary of ICLEI South America, highlighted at the opening of the event that diplomacy must be key to integrating international biodiversity agendas with local interests. "It is through cooperation that the creation of alliances will happen; only in this way can local governments implement effective actions that are directly aligned with the new global biodiversity objectives."“ 

The post-2020 Global Framework for Biodiversity 

The Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will adopt at the next conference, scheduled for October 2021 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, a new global framework for biodiversity after 2020, which will outline what countries need to do, individually and collectively, in the next decade, to put humanity on the right track to achieving the CBD's overarching vision of "Living in harmony with nature" by 2050. 

This process encourages subnational governments to actively participate and contribute to the development of a new biodiversity framework after 2020, through dialogues, meetings, and consultations. In this regard, the CBD has made the results of this process available on [website/platform name - implied but not explicitly stated in the original text]. Advisory Committee of Subnational Governments, created in 2010, with the aim of officially channeling contributions from local governments to the post-2020 global framework. 

In convergence, the Scottish Government and its allies launched the “Edinburgh Declaration”"Which signals a commitment to undertaking transformative actions in order to achieve the goals and ambitions defined in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the document also includes contributions from..." Letter from São Paulo, with perspectives from Brazilian actors. The declaration can be signed by local governments that have an interest in and commitment to global biodiversity agendas.