Notification 2023-095

Dear Madam/Sir, Reference is made to notification 2023-072 dated 5 July 2023, informing that the twelfth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (WG8J-12) will be held from 12 to 16 November 2023, and the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources (WGDSI-1) will be held from 14 to 18 November 2023, at the International Conference Center Geneva (CICG) in Geneva, Switzerland. The “Information Note for Participants” for each meeting, providing logistical details, including visa requirements and the list of recommended hotels in Geneva, is available at: https://www.cbd.int/meetings/WG8J-12 and https://www.cbd.int/meetings/WGDSI-01 respectively. The Secretariat invites the submission of requests for side-events for WG8J-12 and WGDSI-1 on topics relevant to the agenda items, as described in each provisional agenda, to further enrich discussions by the Working Groups. Requests should be made using the online submission system, available on the Secretariat’s website at: https://www.cbd.int/side-events. The deadline for the submission of requests is 25 September 2023. Requests received after the deadline will not be considered. Please also note that only requests directly relevant to the issues to be discussed at WG8J-12 and WGDSI-1 will be considered. If the number of applications exceeds the number of available slots, the number of side-event requests per Government or organization will be limited. Partners are encouraged to combine and co-organize events on similar topics. The list of side-events, once processed by the Secretariat, will be made available at https://www.cbd.int/side-events. The information on side-events, including catering, will be made available in the “Information Note for Participants”. Side-events will be allocated to meeting rooms equipped with LCD projectors and computers/laptops for PowerPoint presentations at no cost to the side-event organizers. However, when an event is scheduled in a room that does not already contain the required equipment, organizers may bear the cost for securing equipment. Should this be the case, organizers will be notified accordingly. Please note that side-events may be rescheduled depending on official sessions of the meetings. Should such a situation occur, it is the responsibility of side-event organizers to advise the caterer accordingly. I look forward to your participation in the twelfth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources. Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: CBD national focal points, TK focal points, ABS focal points, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations.