The first session of the plenary meeting on the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) reconvened for the third day of deliberations in Nairobi, Kenya. Delegates began reviewing the process and criteria for selecting possible host institution or institutions and the physical location of the secretariat. Many delegates supported the administrative function of the secretariat being hosted at one institution. On the criteria for selecting the physical location of the secretariat, the consideration of regional hubs was emphasized by many delegates.

The Friends of the Chair groups on membership to the platform and the rules of procedure met over lunch to resume their efforts to reach consensus, with discussions to resume on Thursday.

In the afternoon, the Secretariat introduced the documents concerning the legalities of establishing an IPBES, noting that the UN General Assembly Resolution 65/12 on establishing an IPBES, did not establish or operationalize the platform. Comments on the documents were held over for Thursday morning. Delegates then considered the possible work programme of the platform. During the evening, delegates resumed their negotiations on the possible functions and structures of bodies that may be established under the platform. Delegates stressed the importance of including all the functions of the platform in the work programme, while also others called for the inclusion of traditional knowledge considerations in the work programme.

Delegates discussed in great detail the functions of the plenary, emphasizing the importance of retaining aspects agreed upon in the Busan Outcomes regarding inputs from governments, UN bodies and other stakeholders and the process of prioritizing requests.