Notification 2017-067

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you of the regional dialogue and learning mission on integrating climate change and biodiversity at the national level, to be held from 2 to 6 October 2017 in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. This event is generously supported by the Government of South Africa, the European Union and SwedBio at Stockholm Resilience Centre. This event is being conducted back-to-back with a capacity-development workshop for central, eastern and southern Africa on the restoration of forests and other ecosystems for which a separate notification will be issued. The regional dialogue and learning mission form part of a programme developed by the Secretariat for supporting countries through peer-to-peer exchanges where countries can benefit from each other’s experience at the sub-regional level. The event comprises a three-day regional dialogue followed by field visits to areas where ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are being implemented, as well as to government departments, and other sectors. The objectives of the learning mission are to exchange experiences in developing ecosystem-based approaches in climate-related policy at national level, and to identify synergies among potential ecosystem-based approaches for delivering benefits related to multiple objectives. The programme supports decision XIII/4 of the Conference of the Parties, which encourages Parties to fully take into account the importance of ensuring the integrity of all ecosystems, and to integrate ecosystem-based approaches when developing Nationally Determined Contributions and, where appropriate, implementing associated domestic measures. It also supports the achievement of Aichi Biodiversity Targets 2, 14, 15 and 19 and related targets. I am pleased to invite your Government to nominate two experts to participate in this event according to these criteria: a. One participant should be directly responsible for the development, updating and/or implementation of national biodiversity strategies, policies or programmes; b. The other participant should be involved in the development of national climate change adaptation plans, policies and programmes; and c. The participants should be in a position to translate the knowledge gained into concrete cross-sectoral actions to enhance policy and planning coherence on biodiversity and climate change. Participants will be selected among nominees on the basis of relevant experience and expertise related to ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction and taking gender balance into account. The selected nominees from eligible countries will receive financing from the CBD Secretariat to facilitate their participation. Nominations should be submitted in the form of an official signed letter addressed to the Executive Secretary clearly indicating names and full contact information, including e-mail addresses of nominees. The nominations should also include curriculum vitae (CV) indicating nominees�� relevant experience and expertise, and scanned photocopies of their national passports. Please note that passports must be valid for six months after travel. The nominations should be sent to secretariat@cbd.int or faxed to + 1 514 288 6588 at your earliest convenience but not later than 7 August 2017. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points: Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe