Notification 2023-078

Dear Madam/Sir, Further to notification 2023-059 issued on 26 May 2023, nominations were received with a view to constituting the membership in the ad hoc technical expert group on risk assessment (AHTEG) established by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, in its decision CP-10/10. The AHTEG is mandated to develop additional voluntary guidance materials for conducting case-by-case risk assessments of living modified organisms containing engineered gene drives in accordance with Annex III to the Protocol, analyze the information submitted by Parties, and prepare a report, including draft additional voluntary guidance materials on living modified organisms containing engineered gene drives and a list of prioritized topics on which further guidance materials on risk assessment may be needed, in accordance with the terms of reference annexed to the decision. The selection of members has now been concluded in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, taking into account their relevant expertise and experience, as well as gender balance and equitable geographical representation and following the procedure for avoiding or managing conflicts of interest as set out in the annex to decision 14/33. I am, therefore, pleased to announce the composition of the AHTEG attached herewith. A meeting of the AHTEG will be convened from 1 to 3 November 2023 in Montreal, Canada. With the generous financial support of the European Union, representatives from indigenous peoples and local communities and experts from eligible Parties to the Cartagena Protocol will receive financial assistance to cover the cost of travel and a daily subsistence allowance. Further information and documents for the meeting will be made available at: https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-RA-AHTEG-2023-01 in due course. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol national focal points, relevant organizations and indigenous peoples and local communities, cc: SBSTTA national focal points