Notification 2010-049

Dear Madam/Sir, With reference to the Co-Chairs Informal Interregional Consultations (CIIC) and to the ninth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (WGABS-9), the Secretariat is pleased to circulate the attached document entitled "Co-Chairs' Guidance Note". As indicated in the note, it is intended to provide guidance in the streamlining, consolidation and finalisation of the text of the International Regime (IR) without prejudice to the positions of delegations or to the integrity of the Montreal Annex. It is a response by the Co-Chairs to informal requests from a number of Working Group members for the Co-Chairs to provide some informal guidance of this nature. The Co-Chairs provide this informal document, trusting that it will prove useful for the CIIC, the Regional and Inter-regional Consultations and for WGABS-9 itself. The document is also available on the Secretariat’s website as part of the pre-session documentation for the WGABS-9 meeting under the following link: https://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=ABSWG-09. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, international organizations, indigenous and local community organizations and stakeholders