The ninth Trondheim Conference on Biodiversity was held in Trondheim, Norway, from July 2 to 5 2019. Since 1993 Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity have created opportunities for increasing understanding amongst stakeholders about issues on the biodiversity agenda. They allow those involved in setting the agenda to learn and to share views and experiences with their peers. The ninth Trondheim Conference brought together decision-makers and experts from around the world to learn about and discuss knowledge and know-how for the global post-2020 biodiversity framework. The Conference seeked to support the process established by the Convention on Biological Diversity for preparing this framework, with opportunities for major players to discuss key issues informally outside of the negotiation process.

The post-2020 global biodiversity framework is being developed with full understanding that many of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 will not have been met. The current status of biodiversity and ecosystem services, and projections of future loss, are deeply concerning, but at the same time research is suggesting that change is possible. Those negotiating the post-2020 global biodiversity framework will need a clear understanding of the available evidence in order to help them develop a framework for the future that is both sufficiently ambitious for setting the world on a path to achieve the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity, and at the same time ensures that biodiversity and ecosystem services support delivery of needs and aspirations in other sectors. Building upon multiple sources of information, including the IPBES Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the Conference seeked to facilitate a shared understanding of key knowledge areas, and to help ensure that the process for developing the post-2020 global biodiversity framework is knowledge-based, just and inclusive. The conference programme was developed in light of advice from the CBD Secretariat and other partners.

The primary purpose of the ninth Trondheim Conference was the conversations amongst participants, supported by the many inputs made. The intention was that the exchanges at this conference would provide participants, and in particular negotiators, with increased understanding of a range of issues relevant to the upcoming negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The Conference Co-chairs have, with invaluable assistance from the Chief Rapporteur, produced a report which seeks to reflect the main inputs to and outcomes from the ninth Trondheim conference. However, the report can in no way capture all of the conversations, and the many inputs made, and it is not intended to do so. The full report is available in the conference report section, including translations to Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Based on the report we have made a Powerpoint presentation that participants and others may use as a basis for communicating the outputs from the conference.

The ninth conference gathered around 450 participants, with representatives registered from almost 120 countries. Participation in the Conference was by invitation only. In addition to country representatives, there was participation from UN bodies, international and non-governmental organizations, as well as to other major groups and stakeholders. The conference was interactive in form, with all participants having contributed actively to sessions. The conference was held in Trondheim from July 2 to 5 2019 at the Scandic Lerkendal Hotel.