X/13.New and emerging issues

1.Decides not to add any of the proposed new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity to the agenda of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

2.Noting decision IX/29 which sets out the criteria for new and emerging issues, and recognizing that the issues of ocean acidification, Arctic biodiversity, ocean noise, and ground level ozone meet the criteria set out by the Conference of the Parties for consideration as new and emerging issues and further recognizing that ocean acidification and ocean noise do not constitute new issues, requests the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to:

3.Invites the Arctic Council to provide relevant information and assessments of Arctic biodiversity, in particular information generated through the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (CBMP) of the Arctic Council’s Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group, for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice;

4.Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to submit information on synthetic biology and geo-engineering, for the consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, in accordance with the procedures of decision IX/29, while applying the precautionary approach to the field release of synthetic life, cell or genome into the environment;

5.Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to consider the issues identified as possible new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources when implementing existing programmes of work, guidelines and principles under the Convention as well as under other forums and processes;

6.Requests the Executive Secretary, when inviting future submissions of proposals for new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, to encourage Parties and other proponents to follows the terms and procedures in decision IX/29;

7.Further requests the Executive Secretary to invite relevant organizations to submit, in accordance with the procedures of decision IX/29, technical information on the impact of ground-level ozone on biodiversity and compile this information and report to the Subsidiary Body at a meeting prior to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties so as to facilitate consideration of the available scientific information concerning the impact of ground-level ozone on biodiversity.