Members and Observers

IPBES was established in 2012 by 94 governments, and its membership has continued to grow as IPBES' impact has increased.

Members

Who can become a member?
All States Members of the United Nations are eligible for IPBES membership.

Why become a member?
To strengthen knowledge foundations for better policy through science, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.

How to become a member?
Should your Government wish to join IPBES, this intention should be officially communicated to the IPBES secretariat from the relevant governmental authority. For example, this can take the form of a formal letter from the relevant Government Minister.

Observers

All States Members of the United Nations that are not members of IPBES (listed as Observer States in the table below), conventions, multilateral organizations, United Nations bodies and specialized agencies and other organizations that have been approved as observers at the previous sessions. The list of Observer organisations is available here 

Members and observers

Country Status Region Member since
European Union Observer Western European and other States
فيجي Member Asia-Pacific States
فنلندا Member Western European and other States
فرنسا Member Western European and other States
غابون Member African States
غامبيا Observer African States
جورجيا Member Eastern European States
ألمانيا Member Western European and other States
غانا Member African States
اليونان Member Western European and other States

All parties that adopted the resolution on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services on at the second session of the plenary meeting to determine the modalities and institutional arrangements for IPBES, held from 16 – 21 April 2012 in Panama City became members on 21 April 2012.