Notification 2005-017

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 14 of decision VII/15, the Conference of the Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), as the next stage of its work on the interlinkages between biodiversity and climate change, to develop for consideration of the Conference of the Parties advice or guidance for promoting synergy among activities to address climate change at the national, regional and international level where appropriate, including activities to combat desertification and land degradation, and activities for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Pursuant to this request and at its tenth meeting held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 7 to 11 February 2005, SBSTTA decided in its recommendation X/13, annexed to the present notification, to establish an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG). In particular, SBSTTA recognized that the focus of the AHTEG should be on adaptation to climate change. The AHTEG shall complete its work in time for the eleventh meeting of SBSTTA, scheduled for December 2005, and is expected to meet tentatively in September 2005 in Helsinki, Finland. I hereby invite your Government to submit the name of an expert who may be called upon to participate in the AHTEG, together with a description of his/her expertise that is strictly related to the mandate of the Group as specified in the terms of reference contained in the attached SBSTTA recommendation X/13. Nominations should be received no later than 15 April 2005. Once the AHTEG members are selected, it is expected that their work will start by electronic means, coordinated through the Secretariat, before meeting face-to-face.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA focal points