Within the generic scope for the Regional Assessments of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the African assessment focusses on thematic priorities, including the food-energy-water-livelihood nexus; land degradation, including climate-related risks such as desertification and silting; catchment to coast; biodiversity conservation and sustainable use; and invasive alien species. The assessment also addresses a number of cross-cutting themes.

The Plenary approved the Summary for Policymakers and accepted the chapters of the Assessment at its 6th session in March 2018 in Medellin, Colombia (IPBES 6). IPBES would like to acknowledge and thank all of the experts who contributed to the Assessment.

The IPBES Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for Africa is composed of:

1. A Summary for Policymakers (SPM); and
2. A set of 6 chapters.