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The role of tropical and urban ecosystem restoration in climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, public health and sustainable development will be the main themes addressed on 8 October during the programme of “Restoration at the Crossroads: linking global and urban ecosystem recovery for a climate-resilient future”.

The event will be held at the Loyola Centre, in Rio de Janeiro, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in English, with simultaneous translation and livestreaming.

Organised by IIS and the Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN), co-organised with PUC-Rio and the German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) São Paulo, the programme will bring together experts and partners from Brazil–Germany cooperation in two panels featuring international guests.

Public Seminar | October 8th | 9:00 – 12:30
9:00 – 9:30: Welcome (PUC-Rio e DWIH)
. Aline Rodrigues – Professor of the Professional Master’s in Sustainability Sciences at PUC-Rio and Leader of the Nature-based Solutions Strategy at IIS
. Katharina Fourier, Director of DWIH São Paulo and DAAD Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst Brazil
9:30 – 10:40: Panel 1 “Science and Innovation for Scalable Ecosystem Restoration”
It will address the latest scientific evidence and technological innovations that can accelerate restoration in different contexts. Researchers and experts will discuss how multimodal monitoring data, artificial intelligence, and ecological modeling can be applied to increase the scale, resilience, and effectiveness of restoration, connecting cutting-edge science with climate adaptation needs.
. Bernardo Strassburg – Professor at PUC-Rio’s Department of Geography and Environment and Director of Science and Innovation at IIS
. Jessica Hetzer – Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Institute.
. Viviane Figueiredo – Landscape and Forest Restoration Manager at CI-Brazil
. Moderator: Taruhim Quadros – Restoration Leader at WWF-Brazil
10:40 – 11:00: Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:10: Panel 2 “Partnerships and Governance to Unlock Large-Scale Restoration”
It will highlight the importance of institutional partnerships, cooperation networks, and governance mechanisms to enable large-scale restoration. Examples of international cooperation, public-private partnerships, community engagement, and climate finance will be explored, focusing on how to strengthen restoration chains, expand access to resources, and connect local and global stakeholders to transform commitments into concrete results.
. Thiago Belote – Director of Forests at MMA/SBio/DFlo
. Mariana Oliveria – Director of Forests and Land Use at WRI Brazil
. Julio Tymus – Ecological Restoration Coordinator
Moderator: Fernanda Gomes – Knowledge and Communication Manager at IIS
12:10 – 12:30: Closing Remarks (SGN and IIS)
. Bernardo Strassburg – Professor at PUC-Rio and Director of Science and Innovation at IIS
. Aidin Niamir – Head of International Science Policy at SGN

The event will be open to the public, subject to prior registration and venue capacity. It aims to foster an inclusive space for dialogue between science, practice and public policy, in advance of key discussions at COP30.

Event Information

Event: Restoration at the Crossroads: linking global and urban ecosystem recovery for a climate-resilient future
Date: 8 October (Wednesday)
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Venue: Loyola Centre, PUC-Rio (Estr. da Gávea, 1, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro)
Format: Hybrid, with prior registration required
Language: English–Portuguese (simultaneous translation available)
Organisers: International Institute for Sustainability (IIS) and Senckenberg Society for Nature Research (SGN)
Co-organisers: German Centre for Research and Innovation (DWIH) São Paulo and Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio)