Programme

09:00 | Welcoming coffee

09:30 | Welcoming remarks 

• Arnaud Schwartz, EESC representative to CBD COP15, COP16 and COP17
• Maximilian Schwarz, International Affairs Officer, European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD)

09:40 | Setting the scene - Overview of the CBD process and negotiations 

• Bianca Lisboa Da Camara Brasil, Program Manager on Business Engagement, UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (video message) 
• Veronika Hunt Safrankova, Head of UNEP Brussels Office (tbc)
• Paulo de Lima, Liaison Officer Brussels FAO (tbc)
• Nadja Steinfort, International Relations Officer, DG ENV 
• Richard Cronin, Counsellor-Water, Biodiversity and Housing, Irish Presidency (tbc)
• César Luena, MEP-Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (video message)

11:15 | Q&A session with EESC members and invited Civil Society Organisations

• Pieter Verhelst, Member of the Board of Directors at Boerenbond, and WFO Board Member, World Farmers Organisation
• Amanda Bjorksell, Chair, COPA-COGECA (tbc)  
• European Coordination Via Campesina international 
• Giulia Gouet, Senior Advocacy Officer, Slow Food
• Ivan López van der Veen, Chariman and Vice President, Spanish Fishing Confederation (CEPESCA), International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA)  
• Spyros Papadatos, Secretary General, Rural Youth Europe (tbc)
• Daniel Voces de Onaindi, Managing director, Europeche
• Carla Leite, The Portuguese farmers confederation (CAP), Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) 
• Philippe de Wouters, Director, the Royal Forestry Society of Belgium (tbc)
• Hanna Leiponen-Syyrakki, Director, Central Union of Agricultural Producers and Forest Owners (MTK) (tbc)
• Simo Tiainen, EESC member
• Arnold Puech d'Alissac, EESC member

12:45 | Closing remarks

• Arnaud Schwartz, EESC representative to CBD COP15, COP16 and COP17
• Maximilian Schwarz, International Affairs Officer, European Bureau for Conservation and Development (EBCD)