Notification 2011-207

Dear Madam/Sir, Reference is made to the earlier notification (2011-166), dated 7 September 2011, regarding the nomination of experts to the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic Regional Workshop to Facilitate the Description of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Marine Areas (EBSAs), 28 February to 2 March 2012, in Brazil. This workshop is being convened by the CBD Secretariat, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Caribbean Environment Programme, and hosted by the Government of Brazil, with financial support from the European Union, pursuant to decision X/29, paragraph 36. In order to organize the workshop and prepare necessary scientific inputs to it in a timely manner, I seek your kind cooperation to nominate, at your earliest convenience, but no later than 30 November 2011, an expert who can participate in this workshop and provide, prior to the workshop, scientific information in support of its objectives. I wish to remind Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations that the selection of experts will be based on scientific expertise and experience, taking into account the guidance of COP in its decision X/29, and will be carried out using the following criteria: - Good scientific knowledge related to, and research experience in describing ecologically or biologically significant marine areas through application of scientific criteria in annex I of decision IX/20 as well as other relevant compatible and complementary nationally and intergovernmentally agreed scientific criteria; - Good scientific knowledge related to, and experience in the application of scientific guidance on the identification of marine areas beyond national jurisdiction, which meet the scientific criteria in annex I to decision IX/20; and - Good scientific knowledge related to, and experience in developing and applying biogeographic classification systems of open-ocean waters and deep-sea habitats. Draft terms of reference and provisional agenda for the workshop are annexed to this notification for your reference. Meeting documents will be forwarded to the selected experts and posted at the following link in due course: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=RWEBSA-GCWMA-01. Please note that the meeting will be conducted in English. Nominations should be submitted to the CBD Secretariat via an official signed letter addressed to the Executive Secretary by the above deadline (faxed to +1 514 288-6588 or as a scanned attachment to an email addressed to secretariat@cbd.int) together with a curriculum vitae that clearly indicates the areas of expertise and experience of the nominee. Limited financial resources are available to assist the travel of the experts selected from those nominated by developing country Parties. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and your continued support of the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in Greater Caribbean and Western Mid-Atlantic Region; other Governments; competent organizations and regional initiatives