Notification 2015-089

Dear Madam/Sir, I have the honour to refer to Notification 2015-01-06 (Ref: SCBD/BS/CG/ABw/84181), dated 6 January 2015, inviting Parties to submit their Third Regular National Reports on the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, as called for under Article 33 of the Protocol. I wish to remind all Parties that, in accordance with decisions BS-VII/14 (paragraph 2), BS-1/9 (paragraph 5), and BS-VII/3 (paragraph 3) of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP- MOP), the deadline for submission of the Third National Reports is 31 October 2015 in an official language of the United Nations, through the Management Centre of the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH), at the following address: http://bch.cbd.int/managementcentre/edit/CPBnationalreport3.shtml. As noted in the Notification referred to above, Parties are encouraged to respond to all questions in the reporting format since complete information is required both for the third assessment and review of effectiveness of the Protocol and the mid-term evaluation of the Strategic Plan which will be undertaken at the eighth meeting of the COP-MOP. It is further recommended that Parties prepare their reports through a consultative process involving all relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. Eligible Parties are also to note that funds made available by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for the preparation of the Third National Reports can be accessed through the United Nations Environment Programme. For UNEP-GEF funding information, please contact Mr. Alex Owusu-Biney at: Alex.Owusu-Biney@unep.org. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: National Focal Points for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; cc: National Focal Points for the Biosafety Clearing-House