Freshwater Biodiversity Satellite Event

Satellite Event – Rivers for Life: Turning the Tide on Freshwater Biodiversity Loss

Symposium Satellite Event #6

Date: Thursday 11 June 2026
Time: 10 – 11:30 am AEST | 8 – 9:30 am EDT | 1 – 2:30 pm BST | 2 – 3:30 pm CEST | 4 – 4:30 pm EAT

Freshwater biodiversity underpins food security, sustains livelihoods, strengthens climate resilience and supports cultures and communities worldwide. Despite this, it remains critically undervalued and underfunded.

Since 1970, freshwater species populations have declined by 85% — a greater loss than both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. We need urgent, collective action to reverse nature loss and achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In response to this challenge, Rivers for Life: Turning the Tide on Freshwater Biodiversity Loss brings together global thought leaders, practitioners, Indigenous leaders, policy makers and innovators to explore one critical question:

How do we move from recognising the crisis in freshwater biodiversity to mobilising investment, innovation and collective action at the scale needed to restore and sustain our river systems?

Delivered in collaboration with Shoal and Wetlands International, this interactive online satellite event will spotlight bold ideas, practical solutions and emerging opportunities to accelerate action for freshwater biodiversity.

Through a dynamic ‘think and do tank’ approach, the session will unpack:

• The current state of freshwater biodiversity and the scale of global decline
• The biggest barriers preventing impact at scale
• How policy, finance and implementation can be better aligned
• How regional and global platforms can drive collaboration and action
• Why equity, inclusion and Indigenous leadership must sit at the centre of biodiversity solutions

Click here to explore our upcoming and past events.

Our satellite event series is proudly sponsored by AmaWaterways and Suntory.