UNU-IAS will co-organize a public forum as part of the Tenth Global Conference of the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI-10) to be held in Riobamba, Ecuador on 3–5 March 2026. Focusing on conservation in mountain landscapes and sustainable ecotourism, the event will provide a platform for dialogue and exchange among policymakers, practitioners, researchers, community representatives, artists and students, focusing on practical approaches to conserving mountain socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
The event will explore experiences and perspectives across three thematic areas: the protection and conservation of mountain landscapes; awareness-raising and stakeholder engagement through diverse approaches, including arts and media; and sustainable ecotourism as a driver of conservation and community development. Through shared reflections and discussion, the forum aims to foster mutual learning and strengthen collaboration toward societies in harmony with nature.
Participation & Registration
This event will be held in a hybrid format, with in-person attendance at the Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH) Main Auditorium. To participate online, please register in advance.
Please note that participants in UNU events may appear in photography, screen captures, videos, and/or audio (see disclaimer).
Language
This event will be held in English and Spanish with Zoom Translated Captions available.
Programme
Subject to change
MC: Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, University of Georgia; UGA)
09:00–09:25 Opening Remarks and Framing Presentations
- Washington Luna (Dean of Electronics and Informatics, Rector Elect, ESPOCH)
- Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, UGA): Montology and Biocultural Heritage Imperatives in the Andes and the World’s Mountains
- Suneetha Subramanian (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS / IPSI Secretariat): Regenerative Development for Strengthening the Sustainable Development Goals in Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)
09:25–10:00 Panel 1: Actions and Efforts to Protect and Conserve Mountain Landscapes
- Mordecai Owidi Ogada (Executive Director, Conservation Solutions Afrika)
- Renato Chávez (Professor, ESPOCH)
- Alden Yépez (Professor, Director of PachaLab, Chimborazo, Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador; PUCE)
- Patricio Mena (Conservationist, Andean Researcher, ECOCIENCIA NGO)
- Olmedo Cayambe (Indigenous Community Representative, Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve; RPFCH)
- Paul Tito (Engineer, Director of Chimborazo Wildlife Production Reserve; RPFCH)
- Jeamileth Alejandra Razo Sandoval (Engineer & Coordinator, Sumak Kawsay Research Center)
10:00 Break
10:15–10:45 Panel 2: Raising Awareness and Motivating Stakeholders Towards Conserving Mountainscapes
- Chen-Fa Wu (Professor, National Chung Hsing University; NCHU, Taiwan Landscape Environment Association)
- Carlos Jara (Professor, ESPOCH)
- Ana María Varea (Biologist and equatorial ecologist / Former UNDP Quito)
- César Cotacachi (Indigenous environmental leader, Imbakucha Sacred Landscape and Imbabura Global GeoPark)
- Juan Manuel Carrión (Scientific Illustrator, Charles Darwin Foundation; CDF)
- Sidney Eigeman (Biology/Geography Researcher, UGA)
- Alex Gavilánez (Professor, ESPOCH)
10:50–11:25 Panel 3: Sustainable Ecotourism as An Engine for Conservation of SEPLS
- Engin Yilmaz (Executive Director, Yolda Initiative)
- Danny Castillo (Professor, ESPOCH)
- Jack Rodríguez (Owner, Hostería Cumandá; Ecosustainable Ecuadorian Amazon Foundation; FAEES)
- Luis Suárez (Former Director, Conservation International Ecuador; CI)
- Chadley Hollas (Ecotourism and Precarity Researcher, UGA)
- Jaime López (Professor, University San Francisco de Quito; USFQ)
- Miriam Nataly Piulamunga Remache (Indigenous Leader, Puruwa Women for Environmental Communication)
11:25–11:55 Q&A
Moderators: Suneetha Subramanian (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS/IPSI Secretariat) and Fausto Sarmiento (Professor, UGA)
11:55 Closing Remarks
- Carlos Jara (Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources, ESPOCH)
Organizers
The event is co-organized by UNU-IAS, IPSI Secretariat, University of Georgia (UGA), Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo (ESPOCH), and Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan (MOEJ).
About IPSI
The International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI) works to promote the Satoyama Initiative, a global effort to realize societies in harmony with nature through the revitalization and sustainable management of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) for biodiversity and human well-being. UNU-IAS serves as the secretariat for the IPSI project. More information is available on the IPSI website.
