Regional Business & Biodiversity Forum

Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Key Economic Sectors: From Commitments to Action

proudly convened by

16-17 March 2026

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Online event to be hosted on Zoom

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 SANBI National Botanical Gardens, Pretoria, South Africa

The event will be hosted in a hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual attendance.

Africa stands at a pivotal moment.

The continent’s economies are expanding, infrastructure investment is accelerating, and global markets are demanding stronger environmental performance across value chains. At the same time, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) calls on governments and businesses to take coordinated, transformative action to halt biodiversity loss while strengthening resilience and development outcomes.

The event will create space for dialogue, mutual learning, and the identification of common approaches that can support both economic development and biodiversity management across the region.

As countries move from commitments to delivery under the GBF, there is an urgent need for coherent, scalable, and investable approaches to integrate biodiversity into core economic sectors. Businesses across mining, agriculture, forestry, energy, and transport are already developing new models—yet these remain uneven and often under-recognised.

Mainstreaming biodiversity across key economic sectors is essential to achieving national GBF targets, safeguarding livelihoods, and building more competitive, future-ready economies. This Forum provides a timely platform for African leaders to demonstrate how aligning economic decision-making with biodiversity considerations can unlock investment, reduce risk, and support a just transition for communities and industries.

To advance this agenda, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) and the Global Partnership for Business and Biodiversity (GPBB), in collaboration with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), and additional partners, will convene a two-day Regional Business and Biodiversity Forum. The event will highlight African-led innovation, practical tools, and sector-specific solutions that can accelerate biodiversity mainstreaming, inform COP16 outcomes, and strengthen regional reporting and implementation under the GBF.

This Forum offers a unique opportunity to

  • Position Africa as a leader in biodiversity‑aligned development.
  • Mobilise investment and partnerships that support resilience, jobs, and long‑term economic stability.
  • Equip governments and businesses with the tools required for upcoming reporting obligations, including work on Target 15.
  • Demonstrate concrete progress ahead of SBI‑7 and COP17.

This event was made possible through the generous funding from IPIECA, IUCN and The Nature Conservancy

Agenda

16 March 2026

09:00               Opening of the Business and Biodiversity Forum

  • Flora Mokgohloa, Deputy Director General, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)
  • Shonisani Munzhedzi, CEO, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)
  • Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) – video message

09:30              Government Policy Context Session

An introduction of  the policy instruments guiding the mainstreaming of biodiversity  by businesses in South Africa

  • Khorommbi Matibe, Chief Director: Biodiversity Economy and Sustainable Use, DFFE
  • Ben Durham, Chief Director: Bio-Innovation, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation

10:00               Plenary session: The role of disclosures and reporting in catalyzing private sector action

This plenary will explore the role of disclosures in supporting transformation of business models and examine how these challenges have been addressed at both the global and regional levels. The plenary will also highlight the global trends related to Target 15 of the GBF.

Moderator: Jenifer Zungu, Facilitator, NBSAP Accelerator Partnership

  • Hirotsugu Takahashi, Associate Expert, Secretariat of the CBD
  • Ntakadzeni Tshidada, Director, SANBI
  • Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, the Africa Board Representative, ISSB IFRS Foundation
  • Candice Dott, Director of Market Engagement, TNFD

11:15              Sector Spotlight: Mainstreaming biodiversity within the mining sector

This session will take a deep dive into the mining sector and explore successful examples of biodiversity mainstreaming at the regional level. In line with Decision COP16/13, this session will look into tools, mechanisms, guidance and relevant solutions that can support biodiversity mainstreaming in the mining sector.

Moderator: Pearl Gola, Director, SANBI

  • Jurie Human, Principle Mine Closure, Rehabilitation and Biodiversity, Valterra Platinum (online)
  • Warwick Mostert, Business and Biodiversity Lead, IBAT
  • Hayley Zipp, Director of Environment, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)
  • Seoka Lekota, Acting Director: Biodiversity Conservation, DFFE
  • Benjie Moremi, Principal Social Impact and Sustainability, Kumba Iron Ore (Anglo American)
  • Henk Nel, Senior Environmental Coordinator, Harmony Gold

    12:30               Lunch Break / Networking Break

    14:00               Sector spotlight: Mainstreaming biodiversity in the energy sector

    This session will take a deep dive into the energy sector and explore successful examples of biodiversity mainstreaming at the regional level. In line with Decision COP16/13, this session will look into tools, mechanisms, guidance and relevant solutions that can support biodiversity mainstreaming in the energy sector.

    Moderator: Kishaylin Chetty, Head of Sustainability, EWT

    • Vhalinavho Khavhagali, Country Director, IUCN South Africa
    • Artemis Kostareli, Nature Director, Ipieca
    • LuLu Likotsi, H3SE Director, TotalEnergies
    • Anton Earle, Global Coordinator: Water Systems, ICLEI Africa

    15:30               Sector spotlight: Mainstreaming biodiversity in the Transportation and Infrastructure Sectors

    This session will take a deep dive into the transportation and infrastructure sector and explore successful examples of biodiversity mainstreaming at the regional level. In line with Decision COP16/13, this session will look into tools, mechanisms, guidance and relevant solutions that can support biodiversity mainstreaming in the transportation and infrastructure sector.

    Moderator: Lucia Motloung, Director Information Management and Science Policy Interface, DFFE

    • Nenekazi Songxaba, Environmental Coordinator, SANRAL
    • Thabo Hlatshwayo, Wildlife and Linear Infrastructure expert, EWT
    • Takalani Murulana, Policy, Community & Government Relations Advisor: Lead, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
    • Shaheed Alli, Head: Project Preparation, Development Bank of South Africa

    17:00               Closing day 1

     

    17 March 2026

    09:00               Sector spotlight: Mainstreaming biodiversity in the agriculture and forestry sectors

    This session will take a deep dive into the agriculture and forestry sector and explore successful examples of biodiversity mainstreaming at the regional level. In line with Decision COP16/13, this session will look into tools, mechanisms, guidance and relevant solutions that can support biodiversity mainstreaming in the agriculture and forestry sector.

    Moderator: Mthobisi Nzimande, Assistant Director, SANBI

    • Brent Corcoran, Manager of Certification & Environment, Mondi (online)
    • Wiam Hadad, Systems Ecologist, ZZ2
    • Julie Bélanger, Natural Resources Officer, FAO
    • Louise Stafford, Country Director, The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
    • Jane Molony, Lead on Biodiversity, Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) (online)

    10:00               Panel discussion: Innovative financial mechanisms

    The panel will explore different mechanisms that can support mobilization of resources for biodiversity such as biodiversity offset bank, biodiversity credits, expenditure tagging, among other

    Moderator: Ntakadzeni Tshidada, Director, SANBI

    • Jessica Smith, Nature & Ocean Finance Leader, UNEP FI (Online)
    • Deshni Pillay, Nature, Climate and Energy Portfolio Manager UNDP BIOFIN
    • Mookho Mathaba, Climate Finance Specialist, Development Bank of South Africa
    • Nozipho Sibiya-Zulu, Senior Policy Specialist, Africa, Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)

    11:00               Health Break

    11:15               Plenary Session: IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment Update

    This session will provide report on the landmark IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment which was released during its 12th IPBES Plenary in Manchester, United Kingdom.

    • Amrei von Hase, Coordinating Lead Author
    • Questions and Answers Session

    11:45               Plenary Session: Advancing the Targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework through Biodiversity Economy Initiatives fostered by Strategic Collaboration between Governments and Businesses

    This session will provide an in-depth exploration of the Biodiversity Economy as a key driver for mainstreaming biodiversity considerations into policy, planning, and practice, enabling Sectors to realise the financial and social benefits associated with healthy and resilient ecosystems.

    Moderator: Lactitia Tshitwamulomoni, Director, DFFE

    • Howard Hendricks, Managing Executive: Conservation Services Division, South African National Parks
    • Jabulani Ngubane, Executive Manager: Tourism & Marketing, iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority (online)
    • Khorommbi Matibe, Chief Director: Biodiversity Economy and Sustainable Use, DFFE
    • Sue Snyman: Research Director: School of Wildlife Conservation, African Leadership University
    • Riaan Grobler, Director: Environmental Economics Accounts, Statistics South Africa (Online)

    13:00               Closing Session and road to Armenia

    Lunch break

    14:30               Peer learning dialogue among governments 

    This peer learning dialogue will be moderated for governments representatives, although interested participants are welcome to follow the discussion. The dialogue will focus on;

    ⦁ Sharing their experiences on how they are integrating Target 15 on business and biodiversity into their NBSAPs;

    ⦁ Discussing approaches for engaging and collaborating with the private sector; and

    ⦁ Identifying areas requiring further support for effective implementation.

    Venue Details

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