Notification 2023-012

Dear Madam/Sir, At its fifteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted decision 15/7 on resource mobilization, in which it decided to establish a technical expert group, with a time-bound mandate until the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, on the financial reporting elements of the monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The terms of reference for the expert group are contained in annex III of the aforementioned decision. The technical expert group on financial reporting will be established under the ad hoc technical expert group that was established to advise on the further operationalization of the monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (please refer to CBD notification 2023-001 of 11 January 2023), in accordance with paragraph 6 of the terms of reference of that group (decision 15/5). In accordance with decision 15/7, I am pleased to invite Parties and observers to nominate experts to participate in the technical expert group on financial reporting. The group will be composed of technical experts on biodiversity finance statistics from Parties, as well as from relevant organizations and initiatives, bearing in mind geographical balance and gender balance. Nominations for the technical expert group on financial reporting should be submitted through an official letter addressed to the CBD Executive Secretary and sent as a scanned attachment to secretariat@cbd.int at your earliest convenience but no later than 31 March 2023. When submitting nominations, please provide the name and full contact details of the nominee(s), as well as a curriculum vitae that demonstrates their area of expertise, bearing in mind the terms of reference of the ad hoc technical expert group as specified in annex III of decision 15/5, such as expertise and/or experience on: • Metadata as well as existing and possible indicators for the goals and targets that are relevant for resource mobilization, in particular for public expenditures and private investments at all levels; • the use of harmonized and agreed indicator definitions, best practices for monitoring and data sharing, including on indicators relevant to the private sector and other stakeholders; • how to design and use a pertinent reporting template, including in the context of national reporting; • how to identify and address data gaps in an efficient manner, recognizing the specific challenges faced by developing country Parties to develop and access information tools; and • capacity gaps and needs related to financial monitoring and reporting. In line with decision 14/33, nominees are also required to complete the interest disclosure form. (Available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/forms/conflict-interest-form-en.pdf) The technical expert group on financial reporting will primarily conduct its work electronically and, subject to the availability of resources, will also meet physically, if possible, meeting at least twice during the intersessional period. Further information on the meeting schedule will be communicated in due course. I look forward to receiving your nominations as soon as possible, and I thank you for your support and cooperation. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Resource Mobilization National Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth organizations, relevant organizations and initiatives and relevant stakeholders