Save the Date: July 14–15, 2026, Kumamoto, Japan
Set Sail Together: Be Part of the Nature-Positive Journey
The 2030 deadline to halt and reverse nature loss is fast approaching.
The Summit will showcase bold examples from around the world, charting a path toward a nature-positive future in business, finance, and governance.
Hosted in Japan — a country with a deep connection to nature
— the second GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026 in Kumamoto invites us all to join this journey toward a safer, more equitable, and thriving world.
NEWS
- Event Report: GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026 Successfully Concluded
The GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026 was successfully held at Kumamoto Castle Hall on 14–15 July 2026, welcoming 2,725 participants from around the world.
The parallel exhibition "NATURE TECH!" also attracted 14,000 visitors.
We sincerely thank everyone who participated, supported, and contributed to making the Summit such a success.
The Summit has concluded, but the journey toward a Nature Positive future continues. - Event Report: Kumamoto Declaration
The Kumamoto Declaration was launched during the GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026. - Event Report: Summit Outcomes & Press Release
A summary of the Summit outcomes and the official press release are available below. - Important Notice ｜ Please Read the Important Information for Participants Before Attending
- Program Update: Detailed information for the breakout sessions has now been added to the program.
- Information｜We have closed applications as we have reached full capacity. Thank you very much for your overwhelming interest and numerous applications.
- Information | With pre-registrations already exceeding 1,700, and as accommodations and transportation are expected to be in high demand, we strongly encourage you to make your reservations as early as possible.
- About Information for Participants | Information regarding visa requirements has been posted.
- Hear from the Summit Founders | Message Video Now Available (Japanese)
Opening Address from Minister Ishihara
I welcome the convening of the 2nd GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026 here in Kumamoto, Japan. Kumamoto, blessed with abundant water resources, diverse ecosystems, and the Aso-Kuju National Park, is a symbolic region where people live in harmony with nature. It is highly meaningful that active discussions will take place in this location as we reflect on the value of nature and its future.
Across the world, human activities are putting an unprecedented number of species at risk of extinction. Halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity is essential to maintain the benefits we receive from nature, the very foundation of our society and livelihoods, and ultimately, human well-being.
The international community has set a shared goal of achieving a "nature positive" world—halting and reversing nature loss by 2030. Many economic activities depend on natural capital, and corporate awareness of nature positive initiatives continues to grow. Japan now has the world's largest number of TNFD adopters. The Ministry of the Environment has formulated the Transition Strategy Toward Nature Positive Economy, supporting corporate efforts while also advancing conservation of local ecosystems.
In 2010, Japan hosted the 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10), contributing to the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol and the Aichi Targets.
This year marks the first time in 16 years since COP10 that an international conference on biodiversity is being held in Japan, and I feel a 2 deep sense of emotion and anticipation. As with COP10, I hope this conference will serve as a catalyst for accelerating international efforts toward achieving a nature positive world.
Main Speakers
We will be updating continuously going forward.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado
Kazufumi Onishi
Mayor of Kumamoto City
Takashi Kimura
Governor
Kumamoto Prefecture
Hirotaka Ishihara
Minister of the Environment
Kentaro Doi
Vice-Minister for Global Environmental Affairs
Ministry of the Environment
Masaru Horikami
Director-General
Nature Conservation Bureau
Ministry of the Environment
Yasushi Kaneko
Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Yusaku Shibata
Assistant Director, Environmental Policy Division,
Policy Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism (MLIT)
Kaori Fujita
Professor, Green Goals Initiative and Graduate School of Life Sciences,
Tohoku University / Fellow ESG Nikkei BP
Shinichiro Funabiki
Representative Director, President & CEO,
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.
Naoko Ishii
Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives and Director, Center for Global Commons
the University of Tokyo
Hiroshi Komori
Member of International Sustainability Standards Board, IFRS Foundation
Jun Asaki
Managing Executive Officer, Chief Sustainability Officer
SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
Shogoro Fujiki
CEO
Biome Inc.
Yoshiyuki Fujiwara
Sustainability Planning Team, Sustainability Group
Manager
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)
Wakao Hanaoka
CEO and Founder
Seafood Legacy
Makoto Haraguchi
Fellow
Corporate Sustainability Dept.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings, Inc.
Tetsu Hattori
Senior Manager
BMX-SX
PwC Consulting
Norio Hida
Counsellor on Global Strategy to President and the Board of Directors
The Norinchukin Bank
Hirotaka Hideshima
Fellow
Global Intelligence Unit & Sustainability Unit
Daiichi Life Group
Yoichiro Hirose
Chief Executive Officer
BioSeed Technologies Inc.
Shinichiro Ide
Corporate SVP and CBXO
NEC Corporation
※CBXO：Chief Business Process Transformation Officer
Yuuko Iizuka
Executive Officer, Deputy Head of Corporate Division, Head of Sustainability
Corporate Division
Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd.
Shogo Ikari
Executive Officer
Think Nature Inc.
Kyosuke Inada
Director General for Sustainability Management
Japan International Cooperation Agency（JICA）
Yuki Isaka
Operating Officer／ Head of Environment Improving Department
SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD.
Hiroyuki Isono
President & CEO
Oji Holdings
Norihiro Itsubo
Professor
Faculty of Science and Engineering
WASEDA University
Junro Ito
Representative Director & Executive Chair
Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd.
Ittoku Saraya
Executive Vice President / Head of Sustainability Promotion Division
Saraya Co., Ltd.
Kazunori Kanayama
General Manager
GREEN × EXPO 2027 Promotion Office
Nippo Life Insurance Company
Yoshihisa Kasahara
President and Representative Director
The Higo Bank, Ltd.
Shinichiro Kashima
Managing Executive Officer
Responsible for Individual Insurance Business
Chief Sustainability Officer（CSuO）
Nippon Life Insurance Company
Taku Kato
Leader of Sustainability Promotion
Culture Trasformation Department
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.
Kenji Kawashima
Managing Executive Officer
The Norinchukin Bank
Misa Kemmiya
Executive Director
Department of Sustainability Management
Japan Association for the International Horticultural Expo 2027, Yokohama
Taro Kitabayashi
Representative Director and President, Chief Executive Officer
The Norinchukin Bank
Masanori Kobayashi
Senior Research Fellow
Ocean Policy Research Institute
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Michio Kondoh
Professor
Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University
Jung Eun (Angela) Lee
Senior Manager
Public Affairs, Communications, and Sustainability,
Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited,
Keisuke Midori
Chief Researcher
CSV Strategy Department
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Toshiro Mitsuyoshi
President and Representative Director
Sumitomo Forestry Co., Ltd.
Yoji Mizuguchi
Deputy Director General
Infrastructure Engineering Operations
Nippon Koei Co., Ltd.
Masaki Moro
Climate Change and Sustainability Services
Partner, APAC Nature Lead
EY
Mika Nabeshima
Managing Director
Group Chief Sustainability Officer
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
Sadakatsu Nakamura
Corporate Strategy & Planning Division
Deputy Senior General Manager
Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
Yumi Nakano
Operating Officer
Sustainability Promotion Department
Corporate Communication Department
Tokyu Fudosan Holdings Corporation
Kei Namba
Sector team
Sector Coordinator Japan
Alliance for Water Stewardship
Akihiko Nishi
Sustainability Department
General Manager
Nissui Corporation
Takafumi Ogawa
Deputy General Manager
Responsibe Investment Strategy Office
Nippon Life Insurance Company
Kenji Ohashi
Senior Specialist
Corporate Transformation Acceleration Dept. Sustainability Strategy Acceleration Office
Shiseido Company, Limitd
Shougo Ohishi
CSO Executive Officer
Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd.
Tomokazu Ohtani
Sustainable Business Promotion Department
Sustainability Chief Strategist
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Naoya Okada
Executive Officer Human Resources and Sustainability
AEON CO., LTD.
Yutaka Okano
Director
Supply Chain Sustainability Management Department
NEC Corporation
Kenjiro Okazaki
Head of Sustainability Unit
Sustainability Unit
Daiichi Life Group
Chisato Onda
Executive Officer General Manager of the Corporate Sustainability
Corporate Sustainability Division
MITSUI & CO., LTD.
Takahiro Ono
General Manager
Solution Business Dept.
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
Hajime Onojima
Executive Officer Head of Technology Research Institute
Senior General Manager, Technology Division
Obayashi Corporation
Kenta Oshima
CSV Strategy Department
General Manager
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Yuji Saito
Representative Director, Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
Kayoko Sakai
Chief Culture Officer & Chief Sustainability Officer,
Senior Managing Executive Officer
Sompo Japan Insurance Inc.
Yukiko Sakai
Executive Officer and Group Chief Sustainability Officer
Daiichi Life Group, Inc.
Ryoji Sasai
Senior Director
Sustainability Planning & Management Office and
ESG Planning & Management Office
SoftBank Corp.
Yusuke Sato
Sustainability Department
General Manager
Umios Corporation
Harumichi Seta
Senior General Manager, Climate & Nature Lead,
Sustainability Management Division
SUNTORY HOLDINGS LIMITED
Hiroo Shimada
Manager / Deputy General Manager,
Sustainability Division, Corporate Planning, Department,
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.
Tad Sudo
Corporate Sustainability Dept.
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings
Hidetoshi Tahara
Sustainability Advisory Leader
Senior Officer, Partner
PricewaterhouseCoopers Japan LLC
Masayuki Takanashi
Group Chief Sustainability Officer(CSuO)
SUMITOMO MITSUI FINANCIAL GROUP
Hiroaki Takaoka
Senior Executive Officer General Manager, Corporate Strategy Department (Business Partnerships & Investment Strategy), CSV Strategy
Kirin Holdings Company, Limited
Keiko Tanabe
Operating Officer ＆ General Manager
Sustainability Planning Department
Mizuho Financial Group, Inc.
Miyoko Tanaka
Public Affairs, Communications & Sustainability
Vice President
The Coca-Cola (Japan) Company, Limited
Yasuhiro Tawara
President & CEO
Geosphere Environmental Technology Corp.
Yuya Toyoshima
Manager
Oji Forest Value-Creation & Promotion Dept., OMO Corporate Marketing & Strategy Div.,
Oji Holdings
Yuko Tsutsui
Managing Executive Officer
Chief Executive of Sustainability & Transformation Headquarters
Chairperson of Sustainability Strategy Committee,
Executive Chief of Environmental Management (ECEM)
Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line)
Daizo Ueda
Deputy Director General / Senior Manager
Business Development Division
Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. / SISI Innovations Co., Ltd
Hiroko Urashima
Senior Sustainability Expert,
MS&AD Insurance Group Holdings
Yuuko Watanabe
Head of Sustainability
AEON CO., LTD.
Yutaka Yamashita
Department Manager
Management Strategy Planning Headquarters
Sustainability Coordination Department
DAIWA HOUSE INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Keiko Yokoyama
General Manager
Sustainability Department
Sony Group Corporation
Hirohito Yoshida
Deputy General Manager
Sustainability Services Division
Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd.
N. Chandrababu Naidu
Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh
Astrid Schomaker
Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Peter Thomson
United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for the Ocean
Paul Polman
Business Leader, Investor, and Philanthropist
Net Positive
Grethel Aguilar
Director General, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Yana Gevorgyan
Convener and Director, Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Secretariat
Tony Goldner
Chief Executive Officer, Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)
Mark Gough
Executive
CEO
Capitals Coalition
Marco Lambertini
Convener and Executive Chair,
Nature Positive Initiative (NPI)
Dorothy Maseke
Secretariat Head
Africa Nature-based Solutions Alliance (ANCA)
Satya Tripathi
Secretary-General, Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet (GASP)
Lee Howell
the Executive Director of the Villars Institute
Naoki Adachi
CEO
Response Ability, Inc.
Esther An
Chief Sustainability Officer
City Developments Ltd.
Stuart Anstee
Executive Director
Nature Positive Landscapes Initiative
Chizuru Aoki
Manager, Conventions and Funds Division
GEF
Butch Bacani
Head of Insurance
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Benoit Bégot
Lead, Nature Positive Transitions, Technology
Centre for Nature & Climate
World Economic Forum
Adam Brennan
Chief Sustainability and Communication Officer
Thai Union Group
William Butler
Founder and CEO,
GaiaSicura
Sophia Cheng
Senior Advisor
Cathay Financial Holdings
Chee Wei Chen
Shared Investment Mechanism Lead,
GPSNR
Pedro Conceição
Director of the Human Development Report Office
UNDP
Kyle Copas
Head of Advancement and Communications
Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Helen Crowley
Director of Strategy
Nature Positive Landscapes Initiative
Craig Tribolet
Director of Sustainability and External Affairs
APRIL Group
Teppei Dohke
Chair,
Japan Committee for IUCN
Ed Ellis
Senior Advisor
Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool（IBAT）
Gavin Edwards
Executive Director
Nature Positive Initiative
Jingyu Gao
Economist
Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
Claude Gascon
Interim CEO and Director of Strategy and Operations
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Alexis Gazzo
Global Climate Change and Sustainability
Services Leader
EY
Franck Gbaguidi
Managing Director, Global Sustainability
Eurasia Group
Nitin Gupta
CEO and Co-founder
Attero Recycling Pvt Ltd
Deborah Halberstadt
Special Advisor to the Commissioner on Biodiversity and Inclusive insurance at the California Department of Insurance
State Government of California
Dave Harris
Managing Director and CEO
Australian Agricultural Company
Hironori Hayashi
Associate Professor
Watershed Management Laboratory
Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University
André Hoffmann
Vice Chairman, Roche Holdings,
Co-Chair, World Economic Forum,
Co-Founder, InTent
Lee Wei Hsien
Senior Technical Officer
Finance & Economics for Nature
IUCN
Yuriko Iwasaki
Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs,
Unilever Japan Holdings G.K.
Amelia Juhl
Country Director, Japan,
Conservation International
Pallavi Kalita
Asia Lead for Business for Nature
Conservation International (APAC)
Clea Kaske-Kuck
Director, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Shunsuke Kobayashi
Freshwater Lead
Conservation Division
WWF Japan
Erika Korosi
Senior Director
Nature Markets at Conservation International
Verena Kraus
Senior Manager
Lead Insurance and Nature
UNEP FI
Manesh Lacoul
Global Coordinator of the Biodiversity Credit Alliance (BCA)
Rakeshni Lata
Training and Capacity Building Officer for Nature-based Solutions (NbS),
Pacific Community (SPC)
Jude Lee
APAC Regional Program and Policy Director
Program
Transport and Environment (T&E)
Tomoo Machiba
Vice chair of the Global Sustainability Standards Board
Global Reporting Initiative
Mher Margaryan
Special Envoy,
Head of Negotiating Team for CBD COP 17
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia
Hambardzum Matevosyan
Minister of Environment
Republic of Armenia
Joe Miller
Executive Secretary
Global Biodiversity Information Facility（GBIF）
Yasuaki Miyamoto
President
JINENN Co., Ltd.
Masaharu Motoshita
Research Team Leader
Integrated Research Center for Nature Positive Technology
National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
Tomohiro Nakamura
Sustainability Management Division, Sustainability Promotion Office
UCC Japan Co., Ltd.,
Hanh Nguyen
Ocean Industries Lead
World Economic Forum
Jens Nielsen
Founder and CEO
World Climate Foundation
Yuka Okamoto
Customer Fulfillment Sourcing Manager
IKEA Japan, K.K.
Eri Oki
Japan Chief advisor
ClimateWorks Foundation
Grazielle Parenti
EVP Sustainability
Vale
Gemma Parkes
Head of Communications
Nature Positive Initiative
Ayu Kusuma Pertiwi
Individual Member
Walhi Central Kalimantan
Meihua Piao
East Asia Manager
Mighty Earth
Mahesh Pradhan
Coordinator of the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA)
Enric Sala
National Geographic Explorer in Residence and Founder and Executive Director
National Geographic Pristine Seas
Ted Schmitt
Senior Director of Conservation
Ai2
Tommy Sekiguchi
Senior Project Manager (Institute for Future Initiatives, the Univ. of Tokyo, Visiting Researcher)
Food Business Unit,
Mitsui & Co.,
Kashif Shaad
Technical Director,
Freshwater Science & Sustainability
Conservation International
Martin Sneary
Director, Business and Nature, IUCN
Adam Stingemore
Chief Development Officer
Standards Australia
Hannah Suh
Program Officer
Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO)
Yoshiro Takamoto
Deputy President
The Higo bank.Ltd
Frederick Teo
CEO
GenZero
Masayo Terakado
Chief Analyst - Sustainable Investment Department,
Nissay Asset Management Corporation
Yuuichi Tezuka
Senior Stewardship Officer - Stewardship Development Department,
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Asset Management
Sadayosi Tobai
CEO
WWF Japan
Sally Townsend
Head of Sustainability, Blackmores
Kirin Group company
Yoshinobu Tsutsui
Chairman
KEIDANREN
Yoko Watanabe
Director, Nature and Environment
Asian Development Bank
Marielle Canter Weikel
VP Corporate Partnerships
Conservation International
Eleanor Whittle
Founder and Managing Director
Alopias Earth
Naomi Wilson
Head of Environment and Sustainability
Australian Agricultural Company (AACo)
Kristin Urquiza
Senior Advisor
Mighty Earth
Takehisa Yamakita
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Research Institute for Earth and Information Sciences (REIS)
Application Laboratory (APL)
/Advanced Institute for Marine Ecosystem Change (WPI-AIMEC)
Programme at a Glance
The GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026 brings together leaders from business, finance, governments, science and civil society to accelerate action to halt and reverse nature loss.
Day1
Sets the scene for the Summit, focusing on what Nature Positive means and why it matters for economies and societies. Morning plenary sessions will explore the roles of business, finance and sub-national governments, highlighting leadership, responsibility and long-term vision. In the afternoon, discussions will move toward action, examining the business and social case for Nature Positive, credible strategies for delivery, and links with climate and circular economy agendas. Parallel thematic sessions and informal “Bento Sessions” will enable deeper exchange across sectors and themes.
Day2
Focuses on delivering Nature Positive outcomes at scale. Morning sessions will address key enablers, including measurement, credible communication and the role of technology. The afternoon will highlight place-based and systems approaches, from value chains to landscapes, jurisdictions and the ocean, before closing with a synthesis of key messages and next steps.
Beyond plenary sessions, the Summit features thematic parallel session, high-level closed meetings, side events, side program(exhibitions) and partner networking. A post-Summit landscape excursion on Day 3 will connect global discussions to real-world Nature Positive action in Kumamoto.
Objective
The Nature Positive Summit will focus on accelerating the efforts in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which was agreed by 196 countries in 2022 with a commitment to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. As governments will be meeting in October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia,
at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP17 to review progress on their landmark agreement, the Nature Positive Summit aims at showcasing nature-positive strategies and outcomes with a particular focus on the contributions of the private sector and local governments to the GBF and its Nature Positive mission.
The Nature Positive Summit will focus on accelerating the efforts in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), which was agreed by 196 countries in 2022 with a commitment to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. As governments will be meeting in October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s COP17 to review progress on their landmark agreement, the Nature Positive Summit aims at showcasing nature-positive strategies and outcomes with a particular focus on the contributions of the private sector and local governments to the GBF and its Nature Positive mission.
About Summit
Dates
July 14 - 15,2026
＊Doors are scheduled to open at 8:00 a.m. on both days (subject to change).
＊Early-entry registration will begin at 4:00 p.m. on July 13 (Monday).
(July 16 for excursion)
Hosting city
Kumamoto City, Japan
＊Supported by: Kumamoto International Convention and Tourism Bureau
Official Language
English and Japanese
Organizer
Nature Positive Initiative(NPI)
Japan Committee for IUCN
Co-organizers
ICLEI-Japan
Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
Summit Founding Partners Committee
Incooperation with
Nikkei Business Publications, Inc.
Supported by
Japan Conference for 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework
Japan Business Initiative for Biodiversity
KEIDANREN（Japan Business Federation）
Keidanren Nature Conservation Council
Financial Services Agency
UN Global Compact – Japan
The Summit was announced by the Nature Positive Initiative, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Japan Committee, and ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability Japan, with the support of the Government of Japan, Kumamoto City, the Nature Conservation Society of Japan (NACS-J), Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), IUCN International, ICLEI International and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), with Nikkei Business Publications engaged as the summit manager.
Official Side Events Program
The GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT (GNPS) will host Official Side Events as an integral part of the official summit programme.
These sessions provide a platform for Japanese NGOs, local governments, research institutions, youth groups and other non-profit actors to deepen discussions and foster collaboration on Nature Positive action and the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Official Side Events are selected through an open call and review process and are scheduled within official time slots and venues of the Summit.
They are designed to complement plenary and thematic sessions, translating high-level dialogue into concrete practices and partnerships, in line with the format of international COP-style conferences.
Official Side Events Program
The GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT (GNPS) will host Official Side Events as an integral part of the official summit programme.
These sessions provide a platform for Japanese NGOs, local governments, research institutions, youth groups and other non-profit actors to deepen discussions and foster collaboration on Nature Positive action and the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
Official Side Events are selected through an open call and review process and are scheduled within official time slots and venues of the Summit.
They are designed to complement plenary and thematic sessions, translating high-level dialogue into concrete practices and partnerships, in line with the format of international COP-style conferences.
Exhibition “NATURE TECH!”
In recent years, “NATURE TECH”—the use of advanced technologies such as satellite sensing, AI, IoT, blockchain, and renewable energy to tackle global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss—has been attracting growing attention. Through initiatives such as making natural capital visible, advancing conservation efforts, and increasing transparency in the flow of funds, momentum is building to accelerate companies’ sustainable management.
This event, “NATURE TECH!”, brings together practitioners from industry, government, academia, and civil society under the theme of “the use of technology and Resilience to halt nature loss and drive regeneration,” serving as a forum for sharing the latest case studies and fostering collaboration.
Those who purchase a paid ticket through this website will also be admitted to the exhibition “NATURE TECH!” with the same ticket.
Please note that separate registration is not required to enter the exhibition “NATURE TECH!”. However, viewing stage programs such as forums and symposiums held within the exhibition “NATURE TECH!” may require separate registration. For details, please visit the official “NATURE TECH!” exhibition website.
Excursion Information
▼ About Pre-excursion ( Monday, July 13 )
Date and Time：Monday, July 13, 2026, 4:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Location：Kami-Ezu, Kengun Water Source, Well No. 5 How to apply：On-site registration available at Lake Ezu on the day of the event Details：”Walk around Kami-Ezu to experience the blessings of its spring water”, “Experience Kumamoto City’s largest drinking water source”
▼ About Excursion ( Thursday, July 16 )
On Thursday, July 16, the day following the Summit, we will host a special excursion set in the rich natural and cultural landscapes of Kumamoto and Kyushu—carefully designed to align with the core themes and discussions of the GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT.
This excursion is conceived as an extension of the Summit itself. By visiting real places and engaging with local initiatives, participants will be able to experience firsthand how the ideas, commitments, and outcomes discussed during the Summit are reflected and implemented on the ground. It offers a rare opportunity to translate dialogue into lived understanding.
Four thematic courses will be offered, each closely connected to the Summit’s key agenda areas:
Nature – Experience the value of ecosystems through majestic mountains and lush landscapes
Satoyama – Learn from traditional landscapes that embody the coexistence of people and nature
River Basin – Explore how water connects ecosystems, communities, and local economies
ECO-DRR* – Gain insights into preparedness, adaptation, and living with natural risks
＊Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction
Four excursions, made possible only here in Kumamoto. Please see the button on the right for an overview of each tour.
Information for Participants
Information for participants, including registration, venue access, visa, accommodation, and on-site check-in, is available here.
Japan Airlines (JAL) is the Official Airline of the GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026. We encourage you to consider flying with JAL when planning your trip to Japan.
About
Organizer
Nature Positive Initiative
The Nature Positive Initiative gathers some of the world’ s largest sustainable business and finance coalitions; standards, disclosure and targets frameworks; global conservation organizations; and science, subnational governance and Indigenous knowledge networks, to drive alignment around use of the term ‘nature positive’ and support broader, longer-term efforts to deliver nature-positive outcomes. The Nature Positive Initiative is reinforced by the Nature Positive Forum, a group of more than 300 organizations and institutions that have committed to uphold the definition of Nature Positive by 2030 and pursue action to secure a nature positive world. Those interested in joining can apply to the Forum here ‒ or subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated.
IUCN Japan Committee (IUCN-J)
The IUCN Japan Committee (IUCN-J) promotes the vision, knowledge, and global standards of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Japan. Working across government, local authorities, businesses, NGOs, and the research community, IUCN-J supports biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of nature, while fostering collaboration to advance nature-positive outcomes. At GNPS 2026, IUCN-J serves as a bridge between global dialogue and practical action in Japan as well as organizer for excursion program.
The Story Behind the GNPS Logo
Discover the concept and meaning behind the GNPS logo, inspired by Kumamoto’s landscapes and the global Nature Positive vision.
【About Press】
For media representatives interested in attending or covering the GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026
If you would like to request press coverage for this event, please download the application form below, complete the required information, and submit it via email.
【Download the detailed information and media registration form here.＊Japanese only】
＊ please subscribe to the Nature Positive Initiative newsletter and follow on LinkedIn, X or Bluesky.
About Kumamoto City
The venue of GLOBAL NATURE POSITIVE SUMMIT 2026—Kumamoto City—is a "world-class groundwater city" with nature and urban functions coexisting in harmony. The pristine and abundant groundwater nurtured by Kumamoto’s natural environment—formed on the foundation of Mt. Aso’s volcanic activity, the connection between the upstream and downstream reaches of various rivers, and other diverse geographical features—supports the daily lives of 740,000 citizens. This groundwater also springs forth from Ezu Lake, located in the city center, providing an invaluable habitat for wildlife.
To carry forward the blessings of this biodiversity, Kumamoto City has long promoted cooperation at the landscape level stretching beyond administrative boundaries together with ten municipalities that share the same groundwater basin, along with citizens and businesses.
Furthermore, Kumamoto marks ten years since the major earthquake in 2016, having achieved creative reconstruction and drawing significant global attention amid the recent and continuing expansion of semiconductor-related companies.
©2010 Kumamoto pref. kumamon#K38281
Organizer
Partners
Platinum
Gold
Silver
