Notification 2023-114

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to advise that, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment of Japan and the United Nations University, a regional dialogue on national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs) for South and East Asia will be held from 23 to 26 January 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. This NBSAP Dialogue is part of a series of regional and sub-regional dialogues being convened by the Secretariat in 2023 and 2024 to facilitate the sharing of experiences and mutual learning related to the updating and revision of NBSAPs, including national targets, in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as requested in decision 15/6. The dialogues are being convened with the generous financial support of the Government of Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the European Union. The NBSAP Dialogue for South and East Asia will include sessions on experiences and lessons learned in revising or updating NBSAPs, including national target revision or setting, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, the integration of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols and relevant multilateral environmental agreements into the NBSAP, and the development of a national monitoring plan for the NBSAP. The NBSAP Dialogue will also include dedicated in-depth discussions in breakout groups on (i) capacity-building and development and (ii) national biodiversity financing. The lessons learned, challenges and opportunities will serve as an input in the further piloting of an open-ended forum for voluntary country-by-country review of implementation under the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, also requested in decision 15/6. I therefore invite each Party concerned to nominate up to two representatives to attend. It is advised that one nominee is the national focal point for the Convention or a government official who is responsible for leading the process of revising and updating the NBSAP, and a second nominee who is directly involved in supporting the NBSAP process and in the development of means of implementation, such as capacity building and development, and resource mobilization. In submitting nominations, Parties are encouraged to give consideration to the full range of national stakeholders, including the focal points of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols. Nomination letters should be signed by the national focal point of the Convention or the Head of the competent authority. Information on nominees should be submitted through the nomination form annexed to the notification, describing relevant expertise and experience of the nominees. The number of participants is limited. The selection of experts to attend will be done to ensure a balanced participation in the breakout groups, taking into account the date of receipt of the nomination. The duly completed nomination form, including full contact details, should be sent to secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible and no later than 24 November 2023. Participants eligible for funding will be provided with travel, accommodation, meals and a daily subsistence allowance for incidental costs in accordance with UN rules. Information and documents relevant to the NBSAP Dialogue will be made available in due course. The NBSAP Dialogue will be conducted in English only. To contribute to the NBSAP Dialogue, the Secretariat may also invite a limited number of representatives of United Nations agencies, organizations that represent indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth, or other stakeholders, that are relevant to the GBF implementation in the region. I look forward to receiving nominations from you at the earliest opportunity. Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: National focal points for CBD and its Protocols of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Japan, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, and Sri Lanka