Notification 2006-036

Dear Madam/Sir, In response to paragraph 7 of decision VIII/2 on the biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands (http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-08/cop-08-decision-advance-en.pdf), the Executive Secretary will compile and disseminate, through the clearing-house mechanism, lessons learned and success stories on the implementation of capacity building activities and partnerships to overcome obstacles to the implementation of the dry and sub-humid lands biodiversity programme of work. As such, I would appreciate the submission of: • Case studies and lessons learned on capacity building activities to address one or more of the identified obstacles in dry and sub-humid lands including through: the development/dissemination of innovate technologies, communication, education, and public awareness programmes, stakeholder engagement, monitoring, evaluation, and assessment activities, integrating biodiversity conservation within development plans, building financial capacity and expanding or refining institutional roles and responsibilities; • Information on partnerships at the local, national, sub-regional, regional, or international level - including public-private partnerships - which address one or more of the identified obstacles in dry and sub-humid lands. The obstacles to implementation referred to in decision VIII/2 are contained in the in-depth review of implementation of the dry and sub-humid lands programme of work presented at the eleventh meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/4). They include: b) Resource constraints in terms of access to financial and technical resources; c) Weak institutional frameworks; d) A lack of effective partnerships; e) The presence of perverse incentive frameworks; f) Knowledge gaps regarding biodiversity linkages with affecting processes; g) Limited political support at all levels; h) On-going conflicts related to resource access and use rights. I would like to invite Parties, other governments and relevant organizations to submit to the Secretariat lessons learned and case studies on capacity building and partnerships in support of the implementation of the programme of work on the biological diversity of dry and sub-humid lands. Parties, other governments and relevant organizations are requested to submit relevant information, along with the completed attached cover form, at their earliest convenience but no later than 1 September 2006. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and your continued support to the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: all CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points Intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and indigenous organizations