Welcoming the 2026–2029 Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) Members

Dear IPBES members, observers and other interested stakeholders,

I am pleased to share with you the names of the 25 members of the new IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP), who were elected last month during the twelfth session of the IPBES Plenary in Manchester, UK and who will serve in this capacity until IPBES 15. 

Having previously served on, and co-Chaired the MEP myself, I know very well how important a role the Panel plays in ensuring the highest scientific rigour and credibility across the IPBES work programme, and I am particularly excited to collaborate with the new MEP to continue this vital work to 2029.

You can read more about the MEP’s mandate in the preparation of IPBES deliverables here: https://www.ipbes.net/multidisciplinary-expert-panel

The 2026–2029 Multidisciplinary Expert Panel Members are (see also https://www.ipbes.net/multidisciplinary-expert-panel for more information):

African States:

• Ms. Asia Mohamed, University of Khartoum
• Prof. Christopher Gordon, University of Ghana
• Prof. Mylor Ngoy Shutcha, University of Lubumbashi
• Dr. Sebataolo Rahlao, South African Association for Marine Biological Research
• Dr. Silvia Materu, Sokoine University of Agriculture

Asia-Pacific States:

• Dr. Ganesh Joshi, Tribhuvan University
• Prof. Gono Semiadi, Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency
• Prof. Hiroe Ishihara, University of Tokyo
• Dr. Kyung Ah Koo, Korea Environment Institute
• Dr. Shalini Dhyani, Indian National Environmental Engineering Research Institute

Eastern European States:

• Dr. Alla Aleksanyan, Armenian National Academy of Sciences
• Prof. Mihaela Antofie, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu
• Dr. Petr Petrík, Czech Academy of Sciences
• Prof. Senka Barudanovic, University of Sarajevo
• Prof. Sevil Acar, Boğaziçi University

Latin American and Caribbean States:

• Dr. Alejandro Ordonez, Aarhus University
• Prof. Maria Gasalla, University of São Paulo
• Dr. Marie-Louise Felix, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College
• Prof. Rafael Calderón Contreras, Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM)
• Dr. Tatiana Boza Espinoza, Peruvian National Institute for Glacier and Mountain Ecosystem Research (INAIGEM)

Western Europe and Other States:

• Dr. Carolyn Lundquist, Central Queensland University & University of Auckland
• Dr. Catherine Febria, University of Windsor
• Prof. Josef Settele, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ)
• Prof. Sander Jacobs, Flemish Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO)
• Dr. Stella Tsani, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

The secretariat looks forward to welcoming the newly-elected MEP to Bonn from 11–15 May for the 25th meetings of the MEP and Bureau. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to again thank all of the members of the former MEP — under the leadership of Prof. Shizuka Hashimoto, for their great contributions to IPBES science and policy.

Yours sincerely,
Dr. Luthando Dziba | Executive Secretary
Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)