Event Title: Societies in harmony with nature: building sustainable and resilient communities through the implementation of the Satoyama Initiative and COMDEKS.

Date and time: 17 July 2025, 8:30-10:00am (New York time zone)

Post-event resources: Article and Event Recording

Event Description: The Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) was launched in 2011 as a flagship program of the Satoyama Initiative, a global initiative that aims to realize societies in harmony with nature through conservation and sustainable management of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes.

At the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada, the Japan Ministry of Environment (MOEJ), Keidanren Nature Conservation Council (KNCC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and other partners announced the launch of the fourth phase of the Community Development and Knowledge Management for the Satoyama Initiative (COMDEKS) with funding to total an expected one billion Japanese Yen over 2023 to 2027.

Phase 4 of the COMDEKS will seek to catalyze and drive integrated local actions and provide concrete contribution to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including in relation to target 3 on the “30 by 30” goals to expand conservation of biodiversity in 30 percent of the landscapes and seascapes globally, target 2 on restoration of at least 30 percent of the degraded lands, and target 10 on sustainable use of biodiversity in agriculture, forestry and other production sectors. The programme will also contribute anf align to the implementation National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Aligned with the HLPF 2025 theme on “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs for leaving no one behind” this side event will highlight the role of the COMDEKS in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and key targets under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It will also highlight the role of local actors, civil society and local communities on designing and implementing innovative, inclusive, sustainable and locally-lead solutions that address the triple planetary crises of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

This HLPF event will feature voices from both high-level experts and in-the-field practitioners to amplify their diverse knowledge and experiences, particularly on practical implementation of the Satoyama Initiative, COMDEKS, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Participants will have the opportunity to share key experiences and lessons and explore means of upscaling and mainstreaming these into national and global policies.

Key target SDGs: SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 14: Life below Water, SDG 15: Life on Land, and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.