Notification 2023-126

Dear Madam/Sir, Reference is made to notification 2023-080 in which entities and organizations interested in hosting a regional and/or subregional support centre, as part of the technical and scientific cooperation mechanism established by the Conference of the Parties in decision 15/8, were invited to complete and submit an expression of interest. The Secretariat received a total of 42 submissions (twelve from African States, seven from Asia-Pacific States, four from Eastern European States, nine from Latin American and Caribbean States, and ten from Western Europe and other States). The Secretariat has undertaken a comprehensive screening and evaluation of the 42 submissions using an assessment matrix developed in collaboration with the Informal Advisory Group on Technical and Scientific Cooperation. The assessment matrix was based on the selection criteria set out in decision 15/8. I am pleased to announce that the 26 entities and organizations listed in the annex to the present notification have been invited to participate in the second stage of the selection process. The second stage will, among other things, involve an assessment of the entities’ current institutional capacity to provide technical advice and support to Parties, manage complex projects and programmes, mobilize and manage resources, and to work with networks of collaborators. I would like to thank all entities and organizations that submitted an expression of interest for their time and effort, and for their continued support to the work of the Convention and its Protocols. Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration. Annex Entities and organizations invited to the second stage of the selection process for regional and/or sub-regional technical and scientific cooperation support centres 1. Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Centre for Biodiversity 2. Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat 3. Central African Forests Commission (COMIFAC) 4. Central America Commission on Environment and Development (CCAD) 5. Centre de Suivi Ecologique (CSE) 6. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna International Secretariat 7. European Commission - Joint Research Centre (JRC) 8. Future Earth Canada 9. Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt 10. International Barcode of Life Consortium 11. International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) 12. International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) 13. IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Asia Regional Office 14. IUCN Center for Mediterranean Cooperation 15. IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) 16. IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) 17. Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity 18. Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences 19. National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Institute of Genetics and Cytology 20. Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission 21. Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) 22. Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) 23. Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences 24. Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) 25. Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) 26. South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI)

Acting Executive Secretary

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