GBF13 | [Workshop] Operationalizing a Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS): governance, financing and scaling Biodiversity Observation Networks
[Workshop] Operationalizing a Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS): governance, financing and scaling Biodiversity Observation Networks
Convener: Katie Millette | Co-conveners: Andrew Gonzalez, Alice Hughes
Sun, 14 Jun, 15:00–16:30|Room Aspen 1
Sun, 15:00
This workshop will focus on advancing the Global Biodiversity Observing System (GBiOS) — an initiative of GEO BON designed to underpin the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) by enabling coordinated, sustained, and policy-relevant biodiversity observations worldwide. GBiOS aims to bridge the gap between data collection, integration, and decision-making by establishing a global, interoperable infrastructure for biodiversity monitoring to support national reporting and progress tracking toward GBF targets. Building on major workshops held at the World Biodiversity Forum (2022, 2024) and the recent BIOSPACE25 Conference, this hands-on workshop will move the GBiOS vision into a dialogue defining pathways for implementation in direct alignment with GBF monitoring needs.

This workshop will focus on the following dimensions essential to implementation:
• Governance Models – Developing co-governance structures for GBiOS that balance global coordination and national ownership.
• Financing Mechanisms – Exploring viable long-term, diversified, and inclusive funding pathways, linked to GBF resource mobilization.
• Scaling BONs – Co-developing blueprints to expand and support Biodiversity Observation Networks (BONs) and mobilize interoperable data connected to GBF indicators as foundational elements of GBiOS.

Goals
1. Explore the development of core standards and strategies for mobilizing data
2. Explore co-governance structures and stakeholder roles for GBiOS
3. Explore and document financing models (e.g., UN-backed funds, TNFD-aligned mechanisms).
4. Co-develop practical guidelines for scaling and supporting BONs.
5. Draft a GBiOS Implementation Roadmap (2026–2030) with key milestones and partnerships for 2030