Notification 2006-079

Dear Madam/Sir, The Conference of the Parties, in its decision VII/31 (Multi-year Programme of Work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010), decided that agricultural biodiversity would be one of the thematic areas for in-depth review at its ninth meeting. In paragraph 9 of its decision VIII/14, the Conference of the Parties invited Parties, on a voluntary basis, to provide information, additional to that submitted in national reports, which could be useful for the in-depth review of the thematic programmes foreseen in the multi-year programme of work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010. Therefore, I would like to invite you to submit on a voluntary basis to the Secretariat any information additional to that in the third national report, which is considered useful for the in-depth review. In doing so, I would appreciate it if your submission included national experience in the implementation of the programme of work as well as an evaluation of the effectiveness of the programme of work, if such information is available. To allow adequate time for preparing the review for consideration by the thirteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice prior to the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, Parties are kindly requested to submit relevant information to the Secretariat at the earliest convenience but no later than 31 December 2006. To assist with the review, Parties are encouraged to organize relevant information around the elements of the programme of work on agricultural biodiversity (annex to decision V/5 ), as well as decision III/11 (paragraphs 15-17) and the three related cross-cutting initiatives that have been adopted, namely: the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Pollinators (annex II to decision VI/5 ), the International Initiative for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Soil Biodiversity (annex to decision VIII/23 section B) and the International Initiative on Biodiversity for Food and Nutrition (annex to decision VIII/23 section A). Decision V/5: http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-05&id=7147&lg=0 Decision III/11: http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-03&id=7107&lg=0 Decision VI/5: http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/default.aspx?m=COP-06&id=7179&lg=0 To facilitate the in-depth review, the Secretariat, in line with decision VIII/23, Section D, paragraph 4, is compiling relevant information contained in the third national reports received so far and will follow the guidelines for the review of the programmes of work contained in annex III to decision VIII/15. Please kindly note that the review is to be carried out in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and in consultation with other relevant international organizations. Therefore there is no need for Parties to duplicate any relevant reports submitted to the FAO, and other relevant international organizations, nor to resubmit information already included in their third national reports to the CBD. Thank you for your continued support to the work of the Convention. Accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: all CBD National Focal Points