Science Summit at United Nations General Assembly 77 (UNGA77)

Biodiversity plays a critical role for human health and well-being, economic prosperity, food safety and security, and other important areas necessary for the individual and collective wellness of all human societies.


Conservationists, political leaders, civil society, the business community, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth and other key stakeholders, are all called to safeguard life on earth with dramatically increased and coordinated action. Today, more than ever, it is clear that reversing biodiversity loss requires action and collective efforts from all segments of society.


This event will be the opening for a series of sessions to be held in the framework of the Global Biodiversity Day within the Science Summit UNGA77. This panel will feature a lively discussion on the status of some specific standards and frameworks developed to provide tools and inform actions, policies and decisions to reverse the biodiversity loss globally. Topics such as Nature-based solutions, ecological restoration, the Sustainable Use Assessment of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework will serve to guide the discussion on where we are in the context of these instruments and tools, what are their main contributions and the challenges we are still facing in terms of biodiversity loss.


We will have an exceptional pool of experts composed of: Jon Paul Rodriguez, Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission (Moderator); Ángela Andrade, Chair, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management; Sonia Peña Moreno, Director of the International Policy Centre at IUCN; Gabriela Lichtenstein, IUCN SSC Regional Vice-Chair for South and Mesoamerica and Researcher at National Research Council (CONICET), Argentina and Robin Chazdon, Member of FAO Task Force on Best Practices for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and Research Professor, University of the Sunshine Coast.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are “actions to protect, manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems, which address societal challenges, effectively and adaptively, providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits”. This definition and the 8 principles for NbS, have served as basis to develop an operational framework for NbS: in July 2021, the Global Standard for NbS was launched, with 8 criteria and 28 indicators, providing a robust framework, to design, implement, assess, adapt and improve NbS interventions, all around the globe.

During the first part of this session, after presenting NbS and the Global Standard for NbS, we will focus on showcasing several case-studies from Latin America, in which NbS interventions were or are being successfully implemented. The second part of the session will be held in a Q&A format, allowing a discussion about challenges and opportunities in implementing successful NbS interventions in Latin America, while using the NbS Global Standard, to identify strengths and weaknesses in specific aspects.

https://www.iucn.org/our-work/nature-based-solutions

The IUCN Red list of Ecosystems (RLE) is the global standard for assessing the conservation status of ecosystems, applicable at local, national, regional and global levels. It allows us to identify which ecosystems are most at risk and raise awareness about the main threats they face and the resulting impacts on human well-being, as well as to demonstrate how improved ecosystem management can reduce risks, enhance resilience, and promote adaptation.

Since its adoption as the standard in 2014, over 4,000 ecosystems have been assessed around the world. Latin America has been one of the leading regions in its application; a diversity of ecosystems has been assessed from corals reefs to cloud forests to coastal dunes in this megadiverse part of the world. These assessments have captured both data rich and data scarce ecosystems, and have been conducted in a variety of institutional settings and geographic scales.

In this session, a panel of Latin American experts will discuss progress so far of ecosystems risk assessments and the main lessons learned from the diversity in approaches applied, with strong emphasis on the opportunities and challenges for the application of RLE to inform the post 2020 biodiversity framework and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The session will start with an introductory video by Emily Nicholson, co-lead of the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems thematic group in CEM and will be moderated by Marcos Valderrabano, Programme Manager of the Red List of Ecosystems. This session will be in Spanish.

Join us to learn more about the RLE, real cases, and its applications to address some of the most urgent challenges our world is facing!

The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species has been carried out over four years by 85 leading experts from the natural and social sciences, as well as 200 contributing authors, drawing on more than 6,200 sources. The results were validated in workshops with holders of indigenous and local knowledge from across the world. The summary of this interesting report was approved last July by representatives of the 139 member states of IPBES in Bonn, Germany.

The report offers insights, analysis and tools to establish more sustainable use of wild species of plants, animals, fungi and algae around the world. Among its results, it shows that billions of people, in developed and developing nations, benefit daily from the use of wild species for food, energy, materials, medicine, recreation, inspiration and many other vital contributions to human well-being. The accelerating global biodiversity crisis, with a million species of plants and animals facing extinction, threatens these contributions to people. Measures to support and enhance sustainable use of wild species, and to ensure sustainable use in the future, will make direct contributions to meeting many of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Latin America is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The cultural diversity of indigenous peoples and local communities provides a wealth of knowledge, languages, traditions, worldviews and practices. This session aims to discuss the main results of the Sustainable Use Assessment for biodiversity conservation and indigenous communities, with special focus on Latin America. Dr. Marla Emery, one of the co-chairs of the Assessment will present the main findings of the report for the region and the implementation of SDGs. This will be followed by short presentations by Lead Authors of the report and a country focal point that will discuss the implications of the report for different ecosystems and countries as well as its potential impact on national public policies and international conservation negotiations.

This session will be in Spanish.

Media Release: IPBES Sustainable Use Assessment

1) Research in Latin America. Is it possible? Bernardo A. Pons-Estel.
2) Experience of the research group “Grupo Latinoamericano del Estudio de Enfermedades Reumáticas en Pueblos Originarios”(GLADERPO). Rosana Quintana.
3) Diagnostic strategies: The role of red cell distribution width (RDW) as an integrative measure of pathological processes for screening and monitoring autoimmune diseases. Mariana Lagrutta.
4) Autoimmune Interstitial lung diseases: the impact of regional research: EPIMAR Study group. Florencia Vivero.
5) Preventing disability through early diagnosis in Autoimmune Interstitial lung diseases. Juan Enghelmayer.
6) Conclusions: Mariana Lagrutta
Moderator: Guillermo Pons-Estel

Abstract:
Understanding the peculiar characteristics of our population with autoimmune diseases in Latin America, with particular emphasis on epidemiological issues, is crucial to developing strategies and facing future challenges in this area. Undertaking multi-center studies in Latin America enable us to understand more clearly the real-life scenario in our region and improve our insight into the impact of autoimmune disease. This path is essential to increasing the recognition of regional patients’ characteristics and behavior. Educational strategies destined for the community and primary care physicians are also valuable tools to improve patients’ and physicians’ awareness and reduce diagnostic delays. In particular, we emphasize the importance of reaching out to Indigenous People communities, sharing knowledge, and committing to mutual learning to achieve consensual treatment agreement according to their customs. This approach, which targets mutual understanding, reduces the breach that may be responsible for late diagnosis and delayed treatment or noncompliance.
Another topic of interest that has long been unrecognized and under-diagnosed is autoimmune Interstitial lung diseases. In the last decade, numerous studies have highlighted the high prevalence of an autoimmune etiology underlying interstitial lung disease. Its prompt recognition is essential to undergo specific treatment that significantly improves the prognosis of this otherwise highly disabling illness. Multi-center regional studies in our region significantly impact achieving this goal.
Regarding diagnostic strategies in autoimmune diseases based on analytical parameters, we analyze the role and impact of red cell distribution width (RDW). RDW is an inexpensive and routinely available laboratory parameter reported on all standard hemograms. It is an automated measure of the variation in red blood cell size or volume. A growing body of knowledge suggests that it is a potential integrative measure of pathological processes. RDW is a promising candidate biomarker for screening, monitoring inflammation, predicting disease activity, and prognostic stratification for several autoimmune diseases. This valid simple measure with reasonable accuracy is commonly overlooked, despite the need for inexpensive biomarkers for autoimmune disease management.
Early diagnosis and treatment is probably the best strategy to achieve more effective and economically feasible management of autoimmune diseases, improve outcomes, and reduce treatment costs and disability.

Program:
9.00 AM Introduction: the RITS initiative - Mario Pecheny (CONICET) Rodolfo Rey (CONICET) and Mora Castro (CONICET).

9.10 AM Business restrictions for the strengthening of public and universal health systems. Lessons from the pandemic. The cases of Argentina and Brazil – María José Luzuriaga, PhD, Universidad Nacional de Lanús, and Ligia Bahia, MD, PhD. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro.

9.30 AM Chagas disease and syphilis in paediatrics: the best science for the most neglected – Jaime Altcheh, MD, PhD. IMIPP (CONICET)

9.50 AM Thematic network on emerging viruses – Juan Arbiza, PhD. Universidad de la República (Uruguay).

10.10 AM Activities of the infectious disease modeling network during the COVID-19 pandemic – Juan Aparicio, PhD. INENCO (CONICET).

10.30 AM Investigating pain in networks, an opportunity to do translational research – Marcelo Villar, MD, PhD. IIMT (CONICET)

10.50 AM BREAK

11.10 PM Collaborative Research Networks on Global Maternal and Perinatal Health –José Belizán, MD, PhD. CIESP (CONICET)

11.30 PM International Translational Research Networks: opportunities to generate evidence to improve the health of vulnerable populations – Valeria Fink, MD. Fundación Huésped.

11.50 PM Translational research network on liver diseases – Guillermo Mazzolini, MD, PhD. IIMT (CONICET)

12.10 PM Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC): A Model for Health Collaborative Studies – Jorge López Camelo, PhD. CEMIC (CONICET)

12.30 PM Collaboration networks for implementation science to approach NCDs prevention and management in LMICs – Vilma Irazola, MD, MSc. CIESP (CONICET)

12.50 PM CONCLUSIONS

Abstract
Worldwide inequality represents a threat to human progress. Poor outcomes in health, associated with an increased risk of exposure to disease and limited access to up-to-date healthcare, is more frequently observed in regions or countries with limited economic resources. High-quality research locally led is critical for overcoming these health challenges. Solving population health problems is a mission of public policies. In fulfilling this mission and its intermediate objectives, researchers must base themselves on multidisciplinary interaction and on the rational use of existing resources, which requires coordination and a broad collaboration strategy. With this concept in mind, CONICET (National Scientific and Technical Research Council of Argentina) fostered the creation of the Institutional Networks Oriented to the Solution of Problems (Spanish acronym, RIOSP), formed from the association of research groups belonging to Science and Technology Organizations and public and/or private institutions, in order to address complex and significant problems for the development of the social, and productive environment, as well as situations of risk or threats. One of these networks is the Network for Translational Research in Health (Spanish acronym, RITS), whose mission is to promote a translational research of excellence and sustainable for the benefit of the health of the Argentine population. The objectives or RITS are to articulate and strengthen existing capacities in the country to promote the development of networks of translational research in the area, and to foster the development of capacities and strengthen existing ones to promote greater development of clinical research based on basic research and greater population and implementation research based on clinical research, in order to achieve improvements in the quality of the population's health. In this session, examples of networks recently created from CONICET’s initiative as well as other successful examples of networks dedicated to translational research with impact in Latin American countries and other regions of limited resources will be presented.


Organizing Committee
* Rodolfo Rey, MD, PhD (CONICET)
* Mora Castro, PhD (CONICET)
* Verónica Abello, MD (CONICET)
* Cecilia Szymczak (CONICET)
Contact: redestematicas@conicet.gov.ar

PLEASE JOIN ONLINE SESSION
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86285974583?pwd=Nnc3dTdkMnA2bjBKMTR0dlRTQWtadz09

Maria Julieta Ansaldi
Titulo: “Implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya sobre ABS en Argentina”
La charla “Implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya sobre ABS en Argentina” hace su partida en los elementos básicos del Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica y su Protocolo de Nagoya, resume brevemente el proceso que implica la adopción de las disposiciones de este tratado internacional en la legislación argentina y, además, conoceremos la normativa nacional que regula el acceso y la utilización de los recursos genéticos, los actores clave, el sistema de gobierno federal argentino y el estado actual de la implementación.

Silvana Cima y Claudia Rodriguez
Expondremos en forma conjunta una breve reseña sobre los antecedentes normativos y la regulación actual del acceso a recursos naturales y genéticos en la provincia de Misiones, la cual desde el año 2002 cuenta con normas que establecen procedimientos y obligaciones para quienes utilicen sus recursos naturales y genéticos con fines de investigación, y que con posterioridad a la implementación del Protocolo de Nagoya, ha ampliado su marco normativo en consonancia con el derecho internacional vigente.

Fernando McKay
The present work aims to describe the current status of the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol in South America; examine the number of internationally recognized certificates of compliance (IRCC) of the NP, as an indication of the research conducted in compliance of the ABS system in each country and, whenever possible, analyze the proportion of permits to access genetic resources and IRCCs issued in South America that involve biological control projects. It also illustrates the variability that exists between jurisdictions in obtaining export permits for biological control agents using an example from Argentina. Finally, it provides some conclusions and recommendations to promote a more effective and efficient exchange of biocontrol genetic resources and ABS regulations in South America.

Dyna Rochmyaningsih
Historically speaking, Southeast Asia has attracted scientists and capitalists to study its natural beauty as well as exploiting its natural resources. However, after the countries independence from Western colonialism, some cases of biopiracy continues. Governments (Indonesia and the Philippines) have imposed strict laws governing biological research to avoid more biopiracy cases. But some scientists think it hampers biological research. I will present some cases that shows this complex interaction between national authority and the pursuit of science.

PROGRAM
8:15 Opening
Chairmans:
Jorge Rico F., MD (COL)
Guillermo Alvarez E., MD (DOM)

8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Chronic Kidney Disease in the Americas: a growing pandemic
Guillermo Alvarez E., MD (DOM)

9:00 – 9:30 a.m.
Chronic Kidney Disease of undetermined cause in the Americas: a growing shadow pandemic
Ramón García Trabanino, MD (SAL)

9:40 – 11:10 a.m.
The importance of CKD Registries for decision-making in health. The Latin American Registry of Dialysis and Transplantation:
History
Contribution to knowledge
Challenges
Maria Carlota Gonzalez Bedat (URU)

The SLANH-OPS alliance
Alejandro Ferreiro Fuentes (URU)

Epidemiological data of CKD in RRT in LATAM
Maria Carlota Gonzalez Bedat (URU)

Examples of decision-making based on data from ERC Registries
Guillermo Rosa Diez (ARG)

11:20 a.m. – 11:40 p.m.
CKD in a situation of health inertia in Latin America
Augusto Vallejos, MD (ARG)

11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Recommendations for the creation of a Renal Health Program in Latin America. 
Cristina Carlino, MD (ARG)

12:00 p.m. - 12:20 p.m.
18 years of the Renal Health Program of Uruguay
Pablo Rios, MD (URU)

12:20 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. 
Renal Health in RED in Chile
Carlos Zuñiga, MD (CHI)

12:40 p.m. - 01:00 p.m. 
Other successful experiences in LA.Guatemala
Vicente Sanchez Polo, MD (GUA)

01:00 p.m.- 01:30 p.m.
Q&A

03:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Financial burden of Chronic Kidney Disease for health systems
The global burden of chronic kidney disease in Latin America, its impact on the generation of a Health policy and decision making for Renal Substitution therapies
Chairman: Laura Cortes Sanabria, MD (MEX)

Inequity in renal care in Latin America. The effects of economic variables and post-pandemic challenges
Sebastian Cabrera, MD (CHI)

Importance of the study of the global burden of CKD for decision-making in renal health policy in Latin America.
Javier Arango, MD (COL)

Cost effectiveness studies a tool to generate valuable results in the availability of renal replacement therapies in Latin America.
Santiago Torales, MD (ARG)

3:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Conclusions

This event will take place in New York and participation is possible online and in person. However, 
in person participation requires a personal invitation by the organizers.  

Convened by "Medicines for Future (M4F)" initiative, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU), Austria, and Cape Bio Pharms, South Africa, in cooperation with the International Society for Plant Molecular Farming.

Agenda 
Venue: Hybrid; Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations in New York, and Video Conference
Date:    Tuesday, September 27th, 2022, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
Organizers: Medicines for Future (M4F), represented by Josef Glössl, Declan Kirrane and Kurt Zatloukal, and Cape Bio Pharms, represented by Belinda Shaw

     Mr Declan Kirrane ISC Intelligence, Moderator
     Prof Josef Glössl M4F and BOKU, Co-Moderator
10:00 Welcome 
     Ambassador Dr. Alexander Marschik (Host) Permanent Mission of Austria to the UN in New York
10:10 Introductory Remarks
     Intisar Soghayroun Minister of Science and currently President of Khartoum University, Sudan
     Prof. Frédéric Ouattara Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Burkina Faso
     Dr Danuma Usman Member of the Nigerian Parliament. Chairman of the Science Committee
     Dr Cynthia Asare Bediako Chief Director, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ghana
10:20 Setting the Scene: Infectious Diseases as Global Health Challenges
     Prof. Florian Krammer Dept Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
     New Collaboration Model for Addressing Global Health Challenges
     Prof. Kurt Zatloukal M4F and Medical University of Graz, Austria
10:40    Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) as Key Enabling Technology 
     Prof. Julian Ma Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George's, University of London, UK
     Prof. Inge Broer International Society for Plant Molecular Farming (ISPMF)
11:00 The Versatility of PMF as Demonstrated by Case Studies 
     Prof. Waranyoo Phoolcharoen Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok and Baiya Phytopharm, Thailand
     Dr. Martín Salinas Moolec Science, BIOCERES, Argentina (tbc)
     Dr. Ofra Chen Transalgae, Weizmann Science Park, Rehovot, Israel (tbc)
     Belinda Shaw Cape Bio Pharms, South Africa
     Prof. Edwin Scott Asemota Collaborative Malaria Plant Vaccine Development Initiative, Nigeria and Germany
11:25 The Future Perspectives of PMF
    Prof. Ed Rybicki Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, South Africa
11:35 Moderated Panel Discussion: Policy Framework for Stimulating Cooperative Capacity Building for Better          Access to Medicines and Vaccines
Participants: Speakers from above plus additional Panelists
   Ben Durham Department of Science and Innovation, Pretoria, South Africa
   Dr Juan Miguel González-Aranda LifeWatch ERIC, Madrid, Spain
   Dr. Hermann Garden Policy Advisor Health Innovation, OECD
   Prof. Motlalepula Matsabisa Faculty Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
12:25 Outlook and next steps 
     Declan Kirrane
12:30 End

Rationale for the session
Equal access to affordable medicines and vaccines is a key goal in SDG 3b, Good Health and Well-Being. However, the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how disparate infectious diseases affect global health systems and highlighted global inequality for R&D, manufacturing and ultimately vaccine accessibility. Specifically, as a result of widespread economic inequities millions of people in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) lacked appropriate access to medicines because the domestic biopharmaceutical production capacity was limited. High global demand of biopharmaceuticals (vaccines or medicines) further aggravated the supply shortage, with detrimental consequences for the health of LMIC populations. A route forward to improve the resilience of LIMC against similar global pandemics in the future is to build local medical infrastructure and to educate skilled people capable of managing emergency situations in public health.
The current COVID-19 pandemic clearly showed that centralized approaches to vaccine development, manufacture and distribution were inefficient and unequal. Therefore, we would like to present a new model for global collaboration and capacity building in the context of the UNGA77 Science Summit. Diversifying biopharmaceutical production into technologies that are less depended on expert staff and specialized infrastructure can reduce production costs and improve regional independence of LMIC from global supply chains. At the UNGA77 science session, Plant Molecular Farming (PMF) will be highlighted as one such diversifying options because it is an innovative and versatile technology platform to achieve a simple, scalable and low-cost yet versatile and reliable production of biopharmaceuticals.
In the Science Session “Green Medicines - Plant Molecular Farming and New Collaboration Model for Addressing Global Health Challenges”, the collaboration between the initiative Medicines for Future (M4F), the International Society of Plant Molecular Farming (ISPMF) and the further participating organizations aims to contribute increasing the accessibility of essential medicines to people in low- and middle-income countries.

For a full description of the session please see the uploaded pdf file below

SESSION ABSTRACT
The search for active compounds in biodiversity – known as bioprospecting – has diminished in recent years due to several reasons. For example, the advent of biologicals from biotechnology and the increase in the capacity of synthesis of new compounds using combinatorial chemistry have risen as alternatives of obtaining new chemical entities.
Certain intrinsic problems that are directly related to bioprospecting have also undermined this activity, including regulation issues, weak institutions in regions of interest, difficulty of access to genetic resources due to poor infrastructure, and poor risk pricing. Bioprospecting is also considered a process that is often too long and has little guarantee of success.
The present session aims to discuss the present and future of bioprospecting in Latin America, in particular regarding the exploration of innovative models for accessing biodiversity.

El objetivo principal del Manifiesto panamericano sobre las enfermedades reumáticas ha sido conocer las necesidades de atención y rehabilitación, las barreras a las que se enfrentan y el impacto en la calidad de vida de las personas que padecen enfermedades reumáticas en la región panamericana.