A conference on Ecosystem Restoration in the Global South was held on 07 th June, 2021 virtually.

It was organized by COMSATS Centre for Climate and Sustainability in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Progamme – International Ecosystem Management Partnership. Objectives of this conference was to commemorate World Environment Day 2021 themed with “Ecosystem Restoration” and to recognize the timely need of promoting South-South exchange and cooperation, as a complement to North-South Cooperation, to bridge science and policy gaps in achieving sustainable development goals and climate targets. This must involve support in financing, technology and capacity building to help developing countries’ transition to green and low carbon development.

Additionally, this event aimed to celebrate the continuous efforts around developing regions in conserving and restoring ecosystems and spearheading post- Covid-19 recovery. A wealth of knowledge, experience, and good practices has been accumulated by many of developing countries in the domain of ecosystem restoration. As an example, the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network has established a unique approach of integrating, monitoring and research with demonstration and national policy setting which directly supports decision-making for ecosystem management.

This conference brought together key experts in the fields of ecosystem restoration, conservation, and sustainable management from the Global South to share good practices and lessons learnt from the ecosystem research and management, as well as to explore partnership opportunities to further collaborate on the topics of restoration. Keynote speech was given by Malik Amin Aslam, Minister for Climate Change/Special Assistant to Prime Minister, Ministry of Climate Change, Pakistan. Senior Lecturer Dr. Rangika Bandara, Department of Zoology and Environmental Management, University of Kelaniya presented in the 02 nd session of the conference which concerned about the “Approaches and Actions by Global South for Ecosystem and Restoration.”