Notification 2012-050

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision X/20, paragraph 16, the Parties welcomed the joint programme of work between UNESCO and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), as a useful coordination mechanism to advance the implementation of the Convention and deepen global awareness of the inter-linkages between cultural and biological diversity and invited Parties and other relevant stakeholders to contribute to and support the implementation of this joint programme. Pursuant to the above decision, and with sincere thanks to the generous financial support of the Government of Japan, I am pleased to announce that the Secretariat of the CBD and UNESCO will bring together diversity community experts and possible donors for a Cultural and Biological Informal Diversity Liaison Group meeting (DLG), which will be held on 28-29 April, at the UNESCO’s offices in New York. Participants are invited based on expertise, ability to contribute to the deeper understanding of the interface between biological and cultural diversity, gender considerations and geographic balance. The DLG is an informal group, in annex I, with a flexible membership bringing together the diversity community (The diversity community is made up of experts, workers and funders whom specialize in biological and cultural diversity issues.) to assist CBD and UNESCO on diversity issues. It will meet on an ad-hoc basis, subject to the availability of funding, as well as electronically. The main objective of the Cultural and Biological Informal Diversity Liaison Group is to provide technical advice and to assist the Secretariats of the CBD and UNESCO in advancing the Joint Programme, as well as to assess progress made and identify the next steps. The objective of the first meeting is to allow members of the DLG to assess advances made since the launch of the Joint Programme in October 2010 and to provide advice on possible steps forward. In particular, the DLG is expected to provide comments, suggestions, ideas and guidance on: • Priority Focus areas for the Joint Programme (Including advice on potential “value-added” of the joint programme of work to global diversity work. Considering the niche that this programme may occupy to support global diversity work and the diversity community, including the development of cross-sectoral public policy.) and possible deliverables for COP11 (The liaison group may also consider short (2012), medium (2013-2015) and long term deliverables (up to 2020).); • Conceptual framework for and structure and content of the on-line platform for resources and knowledge generation and sharing: ‘Global Knowledge Platform on the Links between biological and cultural diversity’ to be launched at the CBD COP 11 in October 2012 in India; • Key messages on the links between biological and cultural diversity to be widely communicated through communication/awareness-raising campaign; • Consideration of the development of a diversity guide for policy makers and other practical tools; • Opportunities for highlighting the links between biological and cultural diversity at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development -UNCSD (Rio+20); • Fund raising opportunities/strategy. The report of the meeting will be made available as an information document to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP-11). Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD Focal Points and ICNP Focal Points, Indigenous and local communities, and International organizations and relevant stakeholders