The delivery of effective conservation action requires an enormous range of skills and knowledge, and new conservation tools and techniques are constantly being developed. The adequate provision of training and education aimed at building the skills capacity of organisations and individuals is therefore central to halting the loss of natural systems and biodiversity. However, the provision of training (and access to it) is often patchy or absent in many countries with high biodiversity. Furthermore, time and financial constraints result in many organisations struggling to acquire and maintain the required levels of ongoing training and professional development for their staff. Skill providers and educators also need to stay abreast of new developments, evaluate current requirements, and match their provision with the needs of the conservation sector. Consequently, there is a need for a meeting where: (1) key issues in local, national and regional capacity building can be discussed, (2) opportunities and best practice can be shared, and (3) strategic solutions developed.

“Coordinating action to support biodiversity will only be meaningful if there is money to do it and there are people who know how to do it.” 

Convention on Biological Diversity 2010, Global Biodiversity Outlook 3