The Nairobi-based Global Policy Centre on Resilient Ecosystems and Desertification (GC-RED) is one of UNDP’s Global Policy Centers. GC-RED manages the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net), a capacity sharing “network of networks” initiative that promotes dialogue and cooperation between science, policy and practice for effective BES management, contributing to long-term human well-being and sustainable development. 
 
In partnership with the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), Phase I of BES-Net (2016-2020) has been contributing to the capacity building work of the Intergovernmental Platform for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) through three inter-linked areas of work:
 
Face-to-face capacity building support through Regional Trialogues: Trialogues bring together BES-Net’s three target communities of science, policy and practice for face-to-face dialogues around the themes of the completed IPBES Thematic Assessments, particularly on pollinators/pollination and land degradation/restoration. Fostering mutual learning, inter-cultural understanding and interinstitutional coordination on specific policy-relevant questions at the national and regional levels, Trialogues strengthen the interface between these communities and enhance national capacity to integrate scientific findings of the IPBES assessments into policy, decision-making and on-the-ground practices;  National Ecosystem Assessments (NEA): BES-Net supports the development of national capacity to conduct NEAs in selected countries, complementing the global assessment being undertaken by IPBES. Leveraging the expertise of the Sub-Global Assessment Network (SGAN), the NEA process encompasses not only the production of national assessment reports, but also the development of a set of policy support tools to integrate assessment findings into decision-making; and 
Online platform for global networking: The BES-Net web portal provides a comprehensive knowledge resource library on biodiversity and ecosystems services, and a rich database of organizations and experts working on the IPBES thematic assessment areas. The latest news and updates from BES-Net and its 100+ network partners are circulated via social media channels and disseminated through bi-monthly e-newsletters. 
 
Building on the achievements of BES-Net Phase I to date, BES-Net Phase II is launching in 2020 with the aim to formalize the scientists-policymakers-practitioners partnership and strengthen synergy and complementarity in their BES-related decisions, actions and subsequent impacts in target countries. BES-Net Phase II will be implemented by a consortium of UNDP, UNEP-WCMC and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and with the financial support of the financially by the German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). 
 
The BES-Net Phase II consortium will support evidence-informed policy setting, strategic planning and the implementation of transformative solutions for BES protection in 18 countries. It will also up-scale the successful approaches of BES-Net Phase I, by promoting NEAs in four new countries and facilitating the Regional Trialogues in some 40 countries around the forthcoming BES thematic assessments to be produced by IPBES. The activities and results of the initiative will contribute to the implementation of the IPBES Work Programme and the IPBES Capacity-building Rolling Plan in partner countries. Experiences and achievements will be widely disseminated through the BES-Net online platform.