COMSATS / UNEP Virtual Conference on the occasion of World Environment Day 2021, 7 June 2021

Our planet is under increasing threats from ecological degradation, declining biodiversity, worsening desertification and frequent extreme weather events pose severe challenges to human survival. Particularly, 1 billion people in over 100 developing countries are locked in the cycle of poverty and environmental degradation made worse by the effects of climate change. On the other hand, healthy ecosystems and their services provide opportunities for sustainable economic prosperity while at the same time providing defense against the negative effects of climate change. When applicable, Ecosystem Restoration should be an important component of conservation and development efforts so that the livelihoods of people depending on these degraded ecosystems can be sustained in a changing climate. A wealth of knowledge, experience, and good practices has been accumulated by many of developing countries in the domain of ecosystem restoration. As an example, the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) has established a unique approach of integrating monitoring and research with demonstration and national policy setting which directly supports decision-making for ecosystem management. Times has come to promote South-South exchange and cooperation,

as a complement to North-South cooperation, to bridge science and policy gaps in achieving sustainable development goals and climate targets. This must involve support in financing, technology and capacity building to help developing countries transition to green and low-carbon development.

In recognition of this, and in commemoration of World Environment Day 2021 themed with ‘Ecosystem Restoration’, COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability (CCCS) in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme-International Ecosystem Management Partnership (UNEP-IEMP) will organize a virtual conference on “Ecosystem Restoration in the Global South” on 7 June 2021 to celebrate the continuous efforts around developing regions in conserving and restoring ecosystems and spearheading post-COVID-19 recovery.

Embracing the theme of Ecosystem Restoration this virtual conference will bring together key experts in the fields of ecosystem restoration, conservation and sustainable management from the Global South to share good practices and lessons learnt of ecosystem research and management, as well as to explore partnership opportunities to further collaborate on the topics of ecosystem restoration.