GBIF formalizes collaboration with biodiversity assessment platform IPBES

GBIF and the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the margin of plenary meeting in Medellín, Colombia.

The vital role of open data mobilization in helping to fill gaps in our knowledge about biodiversity and nature’s contribution to people is recognized in an agreement signed between GBIF and IPBES.

The MoU formalizes continuing cooperation between GBIF and IPBES since the platform was established in 2012. Specific areas identified for collaboration include:

• Helping IPBES to identify and access biodiversity datasets relevant to IPBES assessments and indicators.
• Using knowledge gaps identified through IPBES assessments to help prioritize mobilization of new data through GBIF’s network of nodes and data publishers.
• Coordinating GBIF’s capacity building activities to support data mobilization and access relevant to IPBES.
• Encouraging collaboration between GBIF’s national nodes and IPBES national focal points.