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External review of the IPBES monitoring assessment now live until 7 January 2026

The external review of the methodological assessment on monitoring biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people (monitoring assessment) is now open from 5 November 2025 to 7 January 2026 (9 weeks).

According to the IPBES communicate, this assessment is being carried out following the fast-track approach, involving a single external review. Consequently, the first draft of the chapters and the first draft of the summary for policymakers are made available for this external review.

This external review is addressed to Governments and interested and qualified experts, including scientists, decision makers, practitioners and other knowledge holders. To ensure the highest scientific quality and policy relevance of the assessment, the Multidisciplinary Expert Panel is seeking the widest-possible participation of experts from all relevant disciplines and backgrounds.

If you would like to participate as an expert reviewer in this external review, please follow these steps:

  1. Register as a user of the IPBES website (https://ipbes.net/user/register) if you have not already done so;
  2. Register to review the draft documents at https://www.ipbes.net/monitoring-assessment/external-review/registration;
  3. Once registered, you will receive an email providing confidential access to the draft summary for policymakers, draft chapters and glossary;
  4. Comments must be submitted in English using the Excel comment template available on the same webpage as the draft documents;
  5. Comments must be submitted electronically via the IPBES website; when you are ready to submit your comments, please upload your completed Excel template no later than 7 January 2026 using the “Add Review” button on the same page as the draft documents (you must be logged in to upload your template);
  6. If you encounter any technical issues uploading your comments template, please contact mea-ipbes@un.org.