Throughout the world, innovative sustainable development initiatives are underway in government, civil society and the private sector that are making a difference and charting a new course for our communities, nations and planet.
These efforts demonstrate that in many different settings and in many different sectors, integrated and longer-term approaches to restoring, protecting and sustainably using natural assets can lead to new livelihood and economic opportunities with renewed environmental vitality.
Our challenge is how to scale-up and mainstream these encouraging innovations and how to create the enabling conditions for more sustainable and equitable alternatives to flourish.
Shaping sustainable solutions
A range of innovations will be showcased at the Congress, including community and local initiatives, policy and governance reforms, solutions based on traditional and indigenous knowledge, more sustainable business models and investment opportunities, initiatives inspiring ethical behavior and youth, innovative methods for integrating gender equity into conservation work, the latest technologies and emerging multi-sector partnerships.
A major focus will be the role of economic tools and markets in supporting the transition to sustainability by stimulating new production practices and consumption patterns. Alternative market models, governance reforms, partnerships and political alliances will also be considered.
Challenges, opportunities and potential solutions will be addressed at the Congress through three streams - A new climate for change, Healthy environments - healthy people , and Safeguarding the diversity of life.
The emphasis will be on making real change happen from local to global levels, across all sectors and domains, with young and old, men and women, in cities and rural areas, and from all cultural perspectives, to shape sustainable solutions for our future.