Notification 2021-011

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that the Governments of Egypt and China, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, are organizing a virtual side event on the margins of the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-5). The side event will take place on 18 February 2021 from 17:00-18:30 GMT+3 / 9:00 10:30 EST. The concept note and agenda are available on the CBD meetings website (https://www.cbd.int/meetings/). The objective of the event is to demonstrate how commitments by non-state actors (e.g. civil society organizations, youth, academia, indigenous peoples and local communities, business and financial sectors, cities and other local authorities, UN system) can help to raise ambition for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and support actions to promote its implementation, while also contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers will present their motivations in pledging commitments and share how such commitments are translated into actions. As outcomes of the event, the following are foreseen: 1) mobilizing and connecting new voices and leadership in support of the biodiversity agenda; 2) profiling commitments and actions for the post-2020 process, as well as contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals and UN Decade of Action; and 3) bringing awareness of methodologies to track progress in support of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Interested participants can register at https://cutt.ly/jkxS6OV. Upon registration, you will receive a confirmation e-mail containing information on how to join the virtual side event. The Governments of Egypt and China, and the Secretariat, look forward to your participation in this side event and would like to thank you for your continued support to the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Cartagena Protocol Focal Points, ABS Focal Points, international organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organizations