Statement by Dr. David Obura, Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) on 8 January 2026
The Intergovernmental Science Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) regrets the deeply disappointing news of the United States' intention to withdraw its participation in IPBES, along with more than 60 other international organizations and bodies.
The United States is a founding member of IPBES and scientists, policymakers and stakeholders – including Indigenous Peoples and local communities – from the United States have been among the most engaged contributors to the work of IPBES since its establishment in 2012, making valuable contributions to objective science-based assessments of the state of the planet, for people and nature. The contribution of US experts ranges from leading landmark Assessment Reports, to presiding over negotiations, serving as authors and reviewers, as well as helping to steer the organization both scientifically and administratively.
Decision-makers in the United States – at all levels and in all spheres of society – have also been among the most prolific users of the work produced by IPBES to help better inform policy, regulations, investments and future research.
On behalf of the global IPBES community, I want to express our sincere thanks for all these invaluable contributions, and our determination to continue exploring avenues and opportunities for future engagement.
IPBES has not yet received any formal notification directly from Government of the United States but anticipates that the intention expressed to withdraw will mean that the United States will soon cease to be a member of IPBES.
While it is clearly the prerogative of Governments to withdraw from global processes, like those of IPBES, it is important to remember that this does not change the science or the relevance of that science to the lives and livelihoods of people in every community, in every part of the world.
Unfortunately, we cannot withdraw from the fact that more than 1 million species of plants and animals face extinction (IPBES Global Assessment, 2019). Nor can we change the fact that the global economy is losing as much as $25 trillion per year in environmental impacts (IPBES Nexus Assessment, 2024) or restore the missed opportunities of not acting now to generate more than $10 trillion in business opportunity value and 395 million jobs by 2030 (IPBES Transformative Change Assessment, 2024).
The mandate of IPBES is as clear as it is important: to objectively and without prescription, provide the most credible science and evidence about biodiversity to all decision makers and actors – for better informed decisions, policy and action. Our commitment to this goal – as the whole IPBES community – remains unwavering. Science and policy for people and nature.
About IPBES:
Often described as the “IPCC for biodiversity”, IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body comprising more than 150 member Governments. Established by Governments in 2012, it provides policymakers with objective scientific assessments about the state of knowledge regarding the planet's biodiversity, ecosystems and the contributions they make to people, as well as the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets. For more information about IPBES and its assessments visit www.ipbes.net