Limestone quarry Germany. Photo: Stefan Meyer
UNEA-7 Side Event
German Speleological Federation
Embedded Files
Karst-Aware Decisions for a Sustainable Planet:
Bridging Science and Policy.
Turning knowledge of the hidden geoecosystems into sustainable action.
11th December 2025 at 15:30 to 17:00 EAT Nairobi Time,
Green Room, Mt. Kilimanjaro, CR 14
The side event will highlight the importance of karst landscapes—hidden underground systems that supply water to millions and host unique, often endangered biodiversity, yet remain highly vulnerable to pollution and mismanagement. It will showcase how karst science can guide smarter environmental planning, biodiversity conservation, water protection, and climate-resilient development.
Through expert presentations and policy dialogue, the session will demonstrate practical tools for integrating karst knowledge into decision-making, from mapping and monitoring to risk assessment and ecosystem management. The event aims to strengthen science–policy cooperation and promote the adoption of “karst-aware” approaches across sectors.
The target audience includes UNEA delegates, policymakers, environmental agencies, NGOs, and scientific institutions. Expected outcomes include greater recognition of karst geoecosystems, stronger commitments to protect karst aquifers, landscapes, and species, and the inclusion of karst-specific considerations in national and global sustainability frameworks.
Program
Presentations
Karst Geoecosystems:
Invisible and Irreversible
Bärbel Vogel
- President, German Speleological Federation
- NGO Major Group
Contact Point of the
Indonesian Resolution
- Secretary, IUCN/WCPA
GSG Cave and Karst Working Group
Karst Geoecosystems: Landscapes of Water and Memory
Ana K. Celis
- Director, Karst Lab México
- Co-chair, VdHK Working Group on International Governance
- Secretary, UIS Cave Biology Commission
- Director, Karst Lab México
- Co-chair, VdHK Working Group on International Governance
- Secretary, UIS Cave Biology Commission
Growing global concern for a
long-overdue mandate: Karst Ecosystem
Inge Retnowati
- Director of Biodiversity Conservation
Ministry of Environment
Republic of Indonesia
Panel Discussion
Dr. Mohamed Abdelraouf
- Sustainability research program director at the Gulf Research Center
- Scientific and Technological Community Major Group Representative at UNEP
- Contact Point for the Indonesian Resolution on Karst Ecosystems
Faisal Alfadl
- Secretary-General of Saudi Green Building Forum
- Co-Facilitator of Business and Industry Major Groups and Stakeholder
- Focal Point of the Indonesian Resolution on Karst Ecosystems
Sofie Sandstrom Jaffe
- Permanent Observer for the International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN
to the United Nations
Ana Fernanda Matos Argandoña
- Woman Major Group Representative
- Contact Point for the Indonesian Resolution on Karst Ecosystems
Frankie Orona
- Indigenous Peoples and Their Communities Major Group Representative
Donors
Our sincere thanks to the organizations whose support made our presence at UNEA-7 possible.
We still need about €4,000, and any support would mean a great deal and reflect the wonderful solidarity within the speleo community. If you would like to support our presence at UNEA-7 please get in touch.
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