Notification 2016-044

Dear Madam/Sir, As you are aware, the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13), the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the second meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing, will be held in Cancun, Mexico from 4 to 17 December 2016. These meetings will be preceded by a high-level segment that will take place from 2 to 3 December 2016. The provisional agendas of the meetings are available on the CBD website (https://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=COP-13, https://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=MOP-08, https://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=NP-MOP-02). The annotated agenda, other pre-session documentation and the information note for participants will also be made available on the CBD website. Pre-registration for these meetings is now open and is highly recommended, especially for participants who require an entry visa to Mexico. As Mexican Immigration Laws and Regulations require the physical presence of visa applicants at the visa issuing posts, early registration and arrangements are recommended, especially for participants who require an entry visa to Mexico. Please note also that Mexico does not offer visas upon arrival. A list of countries for which an entry visa is required can be found in Annex A, attached to the present notification. However, foreign nationals of the countries listed in Annex A, who hold a valid passport and have any of the following documents do not require an entry visa to Mexico: (a) A document certifying permanent residence in Canada, United States of America, Japan, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, or any of the countries of the Schengen area; (b) APEC Business Traveller Card (ABTC) approved by Mexico; and © A valid multiple entry visa from the United States of America. The Secretariat, in cooperation with the Consulate General of Mexico in Montreal, is making arrangements for the processing of visas during the forthcoming meetings of SBSTTA 20 and SBI 1. Information on the documentation required for Mexico’s visa applications in Montreal can be found at: http://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/montreal/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165. In order to initiate visa operations, participants must first be pre-registered to the meetings. In accordance with rules 6 and 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties, the meetings are open to organizations and agencies, whether governmental or non-governmental, qualified in fields relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, which have informed the Secretariat of their wish to be represented at the meetings. Registration of representatives from these organizations is subject to the receipt by the Secretariat of an official letter, before the opening of the meetings, from the Chief Executive or President of the organization. The letter must indicate the list of names, the head of delegation, the titles and contacts of the delegates to the meetings and should be received by the Secretariat by 30 September 2016. After validation, delegates will receive an automated e-mail message that will include: (i) a “Priority Pass” (confirmation of pre-registration); and (ii) a visa assistance letter, which needs to be submitted together with the visa application. We look forward to your participation in this important event. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: International and non-governmental organizations, indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders