The Second Global Nature Positive Summit 2026 Held in Japan
The 2nd Global Nature Positive Summit 2026 will be held in Kumamoto, Japan, from 14–15 July 2026. The Summit is an international conference aimed at accelerating actions to halt and reverse nature loss. Following the first Summit held in Sydney, Australia, in 2024, this will be the second global gathering dedicated to advancing a nature-positive future.
The Summit will bring together a diverse range of leaders and experts from around the world, including researchers, businesses, financial institutions, local governments, and civil society representatives, to discuss collaborative approaches toward achieving a nature-positive society.
ICLEI Japan will participate as a co-organizer of the Summit.
The Summit has attracted significant attention even before its opening, and registration is now closed due to high demand. Nevertheless, ICLEI Japan would like to share information on three official side events featuring ICLEI Japan’s involvement.
Speakers at these side events will include representatives from ICLEI Japan member local governments and Togo Uchida, Executive Director of ICLEI Japan. We warmly invite all participants attending the Summit in person to take part in these sessions.
Some of the side events will be livestreamed online. If you are unable to attend the Summit in person, please register in advance through the links below and take this opportunity to participate virtually.
Official Side Events with the Involvement of ICLEI Japan
📅 ‘Advancing Toward Nature-Positive Local Communities: Insights from Sado and Minamisanriku’ ※ Available online!
- Date & Time: Tuesday, 14 July 2026, 13:00–14:00 (JST)
- Venue: Kumamoto-jo Hall Room E and online
- Overview:
Local government representatives and researchers from Sado City and Minamisanriku Town, which are implementing landscape approaches, will share their initiatives and insights. The session will discuss challenges and prospects for achieving a nature-positive society at the local level. (Speaker: Representative from Sado City) - Co-organizers: Strategic Research and Development Area (S-21), Environment Research and Technology Development Fund; Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES); ICLEI Japan
- Details & Online Registration: https://www.iges.or.jp/jp/events/20260714
📅 ‘Expanding and Unlocking the Potential of OECMs at the Local Level to Achieve the Goals of the GBF’
- Date & Time: Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 12:15–13:15 (JST)
- Venue: Kumamoto-jo Hall Room E
- Overview:
This session will share experiences and initiatives related to Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) undertaken by diverse stakeholders, including national and local governments, businesses, and NGOs. Through discussions on opportunities for expanding conservation efforts through collaboration, as well as challenges and key success factors, the session aims to promote OECMs at the local level and accelerate actions toward achieving global biodiversity targets. (Speakers: Representatives from Kawasaki City and Kobe City） - In cooperation with:
Green Food System Strategy Group, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan
📅 ‘The Role of Local Governments in the GBF and Actions Toward CBD COP17′
- Date & Time: Wednesday, 15 July 2026, 14:15–15:15 (JST)
- Venue: Kumamoto-jo Hall Room F
- Overview:
This session will provide an opportunity to share information and exchange views on the growing role of local governments in achieving the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as well as their engagement in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (COP). The session aims to strengthen collaboration among local governments and promote future actions toward biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
(Speakers: Representatives from Aichi Prefecture and Kobe City）
