Next week, over 350 people from more than 200 organisations are convening in Milan to take part in the 2023 edition of the European Business & Nature Summit (EBNS). This is a flagship event for the European Commission and follows from the ambitious and long-term plan to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems set out by the EU Biodiversity Strategy. This year's EBNS is underscored by the urgency of the global biodiversity crisis and the growing common understanding that nature is foundational to our survival and prosperity. Following the landmark global agreement reached in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), the focus is now set on aligning business and finance actions with global ambitions, while also working towards target specifications for the upcoming COP16 negotiations.

While global leaders agree on the mission to put nature at the heart of our economies, the journey from ambition to action requires a strong level of engagement and commitment from the business world. The Summit aims to contribute to this strong momentum by providing businesses practical pathways to become actors of change. It challenges and inspires nature-positive transformations by convening influential leaders, policymakers, and experts in catalysing transformative actions in the business community to meet global ambitions and move the economy towards a regenerative, nature-positive future. The event serves as both a political and a technical forum fostering collaboration and engagement. It offers guidance to facilitate businesses, financial institutions, and other stakeholders to better comprehend the role of nature across the spectrum of their operations, from high-level strategy to daily activities.

With nearly a decade of successful editions, the EBNS has come a long way since its inception in 2014. It has evolved steadily from its modest early years, to now drawing a substantial audience. In 2022, 250 live attendants joined the venue held in Brussels, with an additional 200 participants joining online. This year's edition has witnessed an unprecedented number of registrations, with over 1.000 registrations received for in-person and online participants altogether, of which more than 350 will be joining live in the illustrious Palazzo Lombardia in Milan. This remarkable response is a testimony to the growing interest in advancing towards nature-positive practices within the corporate and financial sectors and underscores the proven usefulness of the EBNS at helping to guide many in their nature-positive journey.

The 2023 EBNS will kick off with an opening video message from Commissioner Sinkevičius, followed by an inspiring panel of high-level keynote speakers from policy and business realms. They will tackle the challenges and ambitions facing the business and finance sectors by providing insights into their intertwined environmental, economic and societal contexts, as well as the evolving policy landscape. Attendees will then have the opportunity to learn more about concrete actions they can take to protect, restore, and enhance biodiversity. The EBNS programme features three dedicated high-level policy business dialogues addressing (i) actions to achieve the commitments set under the GBF, (ii) the importance of nature for businesses and communities and the role of EU policy in accelerating business action, and (iii) achieving additionality in nature-related investments. A total 12 expert-led working sessions are designed to help businesses transform their own ambitions into action. These are technical, sector-specific sessions guiding businesses to learn and improve their ability to monitor, assess, and disclose biodiversity, as well as to reduce impacts and regenerate ecosystems. Sessions are also dedicated to unlocking financial resources through innovative mechanisms, and fostering inclusive partnerships to accelerate meaningful action. The Summit will additionally be accompanied by a dozen side events including masterclasses, technical workshops, presentations of results from projects, reports and studies, networking and cultural gatherings, and an inspiring exhibition.

The event will deliver concrete outcomes, such as a business charter, for which businesses and financial institutions have been invited to become its first signatories. Additionally, the Finance for Biodiversity (FfB) Foundation will present its onset for work on a framework for financial institutions, and will announce the new signatories to the FfB Pledge. The event will also act as a platform for extending the reach of the business and biodiversity movement with the inauguration of a national working group.

Amidst the pressing global biodiversity crisis, the EBNS remains committed to advancing impactful change. Through the collective expertise of our esteemed co-organisers and supporting partners, the Summit will continue brightening the path forward for businesses and finance. The EBNS is not merely a forum for discussion, it is a catalyst driving new ways of doing business and investing with a forward-looking guise; one in which nature and the economy work hand in hand.