Notification 2021-076

Dear Madam/Sir, As a follow-up to notification 2021-069 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2021/ntf-2021-069-sbstta24-sbi3-wg20203-en.pdf), this is to provide further information with regard to the physical meetings of the resumed sessions of the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 24), the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 3) and the third meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-3), to be held from 12 to 28 January 2022, at the International Conference Center Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland. Documentation The pre-session and other relevant documentation for the meetings are available at: https://www.cbd.int/conferences/geneva-2022. Registration In accordance with usual practices, the designation of representatives to attend the meetings should be addressed to the Executive Secretary through an official letter of nomination, sent as a scanned attachment, by e-mail to: secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1 514-288-6588, as soon as possible, and preferably no later than 17 December 2021. In designating representatives, Parties and observers are encouraged to take into account that the resumed meetings will address matters related to the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols as well as the Convention. Information regarding online registration for the meetings will be provided in due course. Early registration is encouraged. The resumed meetings in Geneva will be conducted in person. However, taking into account the ongoing pandemic measures, Parties and observers are encouraged to limit the number of their representatives present physically in Geneva. To facilitate this, provision will be made to allow delegations from Parties and observers to follow the sessions of the meetings, both plenary and contact groups, virtually. Please note, however, that online participation will be limited to viewer mode only. In addition, special arrangements will be made for any Party that is not able to participate physically in Geneva due to travel restrictions. To allow sufficient technical planning for the meetings, Parties should inform the Secretariat by 17 December 2021 if they foresee that it will not be possible, due to travel restrictions, for any member of their delegation to travel to Geneva for the meetings. Financial support Subject to the availability of contributions to the Special Voluntary Trust Fund (BZ), the Secretariat will be in a position to finance the participation of two representatives to the resumed meetings (i.e. SBSTTA 24, SBI 3 and WG2020-3) from each of the eligible Parties, i.e. those that are developing countries, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, as well as countries with economies in transition. Eligible countries that wish to solicit such assistance are kindly requested to advise the Secretariat, at their earliest convenience, but no later than 26 November 2021, of the name and coordinates of their Government’s officially designated representative to benefit from such financial support. It will not be possible for the Secretariat to respond positively to requests for funding received after this deadline. Furthermore, in accordance with the criteria for the operations of the Voluntary Funding Mechanism to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities are invited to submit a request for financial assistance, at their earliest convenience, but no later than 26 November 2021. Subject to the availability of funds, a list of beneficiaries from the indigenous peoples and local communities will be established, and selected participants will be contacted directly by the Secretariat for the travel arrangements. Due to the increased security procedures for travellers and budget constraints, and with a view to enable the participation of a maximum number of countries in the meetings, the Secretariat will be using special airfare tickets for sponsored delegates that impose restrictions with respect to the changing of passenger’s name, travel dates and itinerary. Please note, therefore, that it will not be possible for the Secretariat to accommodate name changes after the ticket has been issued. Side events There will be an opportunity to host a limited number of side events during the meetings. Interested Parties and observes may wish to register their interest to convene a side event through the online platform that can be accessed via the meetings webpage. Priority will be given to proposals for side events that are closely aligned with the agendas of the meetings and those co-convened by multiple partners. Requirements for entry into Switzerland and the venue The designated delegates coming from countries requiring a Schengen visa for Switzerland are strongly advised to contact the nearest Swiss diplomatic or consular mission as soon as possible in order to secure the required entry visa in a timely manner, prior to departure. To facilitate the issuance of visas, the Secretariat will issue visa assistance letters to participants upon request, to be attached to the visa application. A copy of the Priority Pass (confirmation of pre-registration to the meetings) issued by the Secretariat will also need to be attached to the application. To enter into Switzerland and for access to the venue, delegates will be required to be vaccinated (with one of the vaccines approved by the World Health Organization), or show evidence of immunity and/or a recent negative test result for COVID-19. While there are currently no restrictions on travel from any country for delegates that meet these requirements, delegates travelling to Switzerland for the meetings are strongly advised to consult the Federal Office of Public Health (https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html#1355154378) website on health-related measures and updates, prior to travel. For further information about visa requirements, as well as health requirements and other logistical details, kindly refer to the Information Note for Participants available on the meetings webpage. I look forward to your participation and contribution to these meetings. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

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