Notification 2012-018

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 1b of decision X/31 on protected areas, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) invited Parties to, “Develop a long-term action plan or reorient, as appropriate, relevant existing plans, taking into account national circumstances and priorities, involving all relevant stakeholders including indigenous and local communities, for the implementation of the programme of work on protected areas (PoWPA), including appropriate implementation mechanisms, and, where appropriate, detailing list of activities, timelines, budget and responsibilities, based upon the results of key assessments of the programme of work on protected areas, with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.” Para 1(b) continues by requesting the Executive Secretary to submit a report on the preparation of such plans to the COP at its eleventh meeting. Within decision X/31 the COP further elaborated on the practicality of developing such action plans. In para 10b of this decision the COP invited Parties to timely and appropriate use of the GEF 5 biodiversity allocations as well as bilateral, multilateral and other financial support relevant for protected areas using their PoWPA action plan as the basis for accessing funds. In para 13 of the same decision the COP urged the Global Environment Facility and its Implementing Agencies to streamline their delivery for expeditious and proportionate disbursement and to align the projects to the PoWPA action plans for appropriate, focused, sufficient and harmonious interventions and continuity of projects. Within the recent series of sub regional capacity building workshops (Three workshops have been held thus far (West Africa; Pacific; South, East and South-East Asia). Workshops for other regions are underway.) to support implementation of the PoWPA, held with the generous financial assistance of the European Union, the Secretariat provides capacity for Parties to develop these action plans for PoWPA implementation and achieving Target 11 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Parties that attended workshops thus far have developed draft action plans using a template supplied by the Secretariat (http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2012/pa-action-plan-en.doc). For the Secretariat to prepare documentation for COP 11 in a timely manner, Parties are requested to formally submit their action plans at their earliest convenience, but not later than 31 March 2012 to the Executive Secretary (attached to an email addressed to secretariat@cbd.int). I look forward to receiving the action plans for the PoWPA and I thank you in advance for your cooperation and for your continued support for the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD PoWPA Focal Points and CBD National Focal Points