The overall objective of the DSI Exchange was to promote a deeper mutual understanding of perspectives among global academic and commercial DSI users of different sectors, and elaborate key messages for negotiators. Besides DSI users from the public and private sectors covering more than 20 countries from all world regions a small number of renowned DSI experts and representatives of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) were invited to support the Exchange by contributing knowledge and perspectives. Few representatives of the European Commission and EU Member States also attended to contribute to the discussion from a policy-maker's perspective. The Secretariat of the Convention of the SCBD attended the meeting as observer. The Exchange provided an opportunity for academic and commercial users of DSI to be updated on the state of international discussions and studies related to various fora, to share and exchange different users' perceptions, interests and concerns, and to brainstorm ideas about a way forward.