Notification 2009-047

Dear Madam/Sir, The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a partner in the important global study on “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB), which is a cooperative effort of researchers from North and South, led by Pavan Sukhdev, supported by the CBD Secretariat and funded by the European Union and several governments. TEEB draws attention to the local and global benefits of biodiversity and to the social and economic costs of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. The initiative to prepare this study was welcomed at the CBD ninth Conference of the Parties (COP9) and Parties were encouraged to contribute. The results of the TEEB study will be presented at CBD COP10 next year in Nagoya. The TEEB should take into account as many views as possible from governments and from all the UN regions. Other opportunities will be given to Governments to peer-review the documents under preparation. The purpose of this message is thus to request your country to provide insights to help inform the “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity” (TEEB) Secretariat on a voluntary basis so that the TEEB has good global coverage and integrates experiences and perspectives from all continents. The TEEB Secretariat would very much welcome your response to the short questionnaire attached. Kindly send replies to teeb@ufz.de at your earliest convenience but no later than 31 May 2009. Please see the attached background document for more information about the TEEB Initiative and consult www.teebweb.info for further details including several TEEB Calls for Evidence. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points