Notification 2017-043

Dear Madam/Sir, I wish to call the attention of Parties to activities being planned by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity at the forthcoming United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the Ocean Conference) to be held from 5 to 9 June 2017 at United Nations Headquarters, New York (see https://oceanconference.un.org/). As highlighted in the “Cancun Declaration on mainstreaming the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for well-being”, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals provide new opportunities to address development challenges in a transformative manner and with a perspective that integrates environmental, economic and social dimensions. In order to raise high-level political awareness of the Cancun Declaration and facilitate achievement of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and Sustainable Development Goals relating to marine and coastal biodiversity, the Secretariat has been contributing in various ways to the preparation of the Ocean Conference and will be convening or co-convening events listed below, in collaboration with Parties and relevant organizations. National focal points are encouraged to bring these events to the attention of your country delegation to the Ocean Conference: Sustainable Ocean Night – Biodiversity for the Future We Want (Tuesday, 6 June, 7.30 p.m. – 9.30 p.m., South Dining Room, UNHQ, New York). This special high-level reception is being convened by the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, together with the Government of the Republic of Korea (Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries) and the Government of Costa Rica (Ministry of Environment and Energy). It will gather high-level policy makers from States and the United Nations/international organizations and provide them with opportunities to share their insights on how marine and coastal biodiversity can provide solutions for addressing critical challenges on our pathway to the future we want: sustainable oceans. Invitations have been sent to all Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations New York, dated 11 May 2017, with copy to National Focal Points to the Convention.   Side events: i. Marine pollution: A critical challenge (and opportunity) for sustainable development (led by Egypt; 5 June 1.15 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.) ii. Ocean acidification: what can we do about it? (led by United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; 5 June 6.15 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.) iii. Facilitating cross-sectoral regional collaboration to support implementation of SDG 14: Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogue with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fishery Bodies (led by the Republic of Korea; 6 June 6.15 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.) iv. Strengthening national capacity and empowering indigenous peoples and local communities to accelerate implementation of SDG 14: Sustainable Ocean Initiative Capacity Development Platform (led by Costa Rica; 7 June 6.15 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.) v. Ecologically or biologically significant marine areas: special places to accelerate implementation of SDG 14 (led by the Secretariat; 8 June 11.00 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.) vi. Mainstreaming biodiversity in fisheries for human well-being (led by Japan; 9 June 9.00 a.m. – 10.30 a.m.) Should you have any questions regarding the above-mentioned activities at the Ocean Conference, please do not hesitate to contact the Secretariat at secretariat@cbd.int. I am also pleased to inform you that the Secretariat has registered voluntary commitments for SDG 14, building on existing partnership initiatives with Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, as follows: • The Sustainable Ocean Initiative Capacity Building Platform for the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (https://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/?id=14849); and • The Sustainable Ocean Initiative Global Dialogues with Regional Seas Organizations and Regional Fisheries Bodies on Accelerating Progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (https://oceanconference.un.org/commitments/?id=14827). In preparing your country’s contribution to the outcome document of the Ocean Conference (the “Call for Action”), you may wish to identify and highlight linkages between the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 14 and the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity, in particular the achievement of relevant Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Cancun Declaration. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, National Focal Points for Marine and Coastal Biodiversity