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 Šafránková, Head of UNEP Brussels Office (tbc)
• Paulo de Lima, Liaison Officer Brussels FAO (tbc)
• Nadja Steinfort, International Relations Officer, DG ENV, European Commission
• 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, Chairman 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, Europêche
• Carla Leite, Forestry Advisory Technician, Portuguese Farmers Confederation (CAP)
• 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)