Notification 2023-106

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision 15/3, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to organize international dialogues with indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders, including women and youth, on progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Gender Plan of Action (2023–2030). Pursuant to this request, the Secretariat is convening an international dialogue with indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders, the first in a series of international dialogues, which will take place with the participation of Parties on 9-10 November 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, prior to the Twelfth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (WG8J-12). The International Dialogue will provide a forum to exchange views on key issues of relevance to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Gender Plan of Action (2023-2030). In order to facilitate interactive discussions and due to space limitations, the International Dialogue will accommodate a maximum of seventy-five participants, comprising representatives from Parties and indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as relevant stakeholders and observers, including women and youth. Delegates attending the WG8J-12 meeting who wish to take part in the International Dialogue are invited to register for available slots by completing the following form: https://www.cbd.int/article/international-dialogue-november-2023 as soon as possible but no later than 11 October 2023, to allow enough time for necessary logistics and venue preparation. Participants will be selected taking into account relevant expertise and experience, as well as gender balance, diverse geographical representation, and balanced distribution among indigenous peoples and local communities, stakeholders, including women and youth, and Parties. For Parties and indigenous peoples and local communities, priority consideration will be given to those who will receive financial support from the Secretariat to participate in the WG8J-12 meeting, in addition to the criteria outlined above. Meeting documents will be made available in due course on the webpage of the International Dialogue available at: https://www.cbd.int/article/international-dialogue-november-2023. Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

To: CBD national focal points, Traditional Knowledge national focal points, Gender national focal points, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organizations, cc: ABS national focal points