Notification 2019-061

Dear Madam/Sir, I have the pleasure to inform you that the Secretariat will convene a thematic consultation to inform the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, from 1 to 3 October 2019, in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The purpose of this notification is to invite Parties, relevant organizations, including women and youth groups, as well as indigenous peoples and local communities, to nominate experts to participate in this consultation. As a result of growing stakeholders’ interest and activities in the area of area-based conservation measures, the Co-chairs of the Open-ended Working Group on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and the Secretariat decided to organize this thematic consultation with the collaboration of the Government of Tajikistan. The thematic consultation is intended to facilitate an initial informal dialogue involving experts nominated by Parties and other stakeholders in area-based conservation in order to, inter alia, discuss the current baseline status of area-based conservation measures and develop suggestions on potential goals, targets and indicators, as well as monitoring and reporting ideas, on area-based conservation measures for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The outputs of this consultation will be submitted to the second meeting of the Open-ended Working Group for consideration. Accordingly, I invite you to nominate an expert to participate at this thematic consultation. A maximum of 10 to 15 experts will be selected per region on the basis of nominations by Parties, and a balanced number of participants from relevant organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as women and youth groups/organizations. The experts could include CBD focal points, experts from the Ministry of Environment or national agencies, and experts working in thematic areas related to conservation and spatial planning in general and the various elements of Aichi Biodiversity Target 11 in particular. The experts will be selected according to the following criteria: (i) Experience, knowledge and expertise, a clear responsibility within a national-level institution/agency, and working on topics/issues related to different aspects of area-based conservation measures; (ii) Experience in decision-making and implementation of the programme of work on protected areas and Aichi Target 11 and various thematic areas related to area-based conservation of biodiversity; (iii) Knowledge and experience in tracking, monitoring and assessing the socio-economic and environmental impacts of area-based conservation… The nomination should include the full name and contact details of the nominee and should be submitted via an official letter signed by the National Focal Point or head of the organization/initiative and addressed to the Executive Secretary. All nominations should be accompanied by curriculum vitae clearly indicating the areas of expertise and experience of the nominee, considering the above-mentioned selection criteria. Nominations should be submitted to the Secretariat as soon as possible, but no later than 12 August 2019, via e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int or via fax to +1 514 288-6588. Participants will be selected among nominees based on the above criteria, taking into account gender balance and equitable geographical representation. The selected nominees from eligible Parties and a limited number of indigenous peoples and local communities will receive financial support from the Secretariat in order to facilitate their participation in the consultation. The meeting will be conducted in English. During the weeks leading up to the thematic consultation, the participants will be provided with available information on the status of various area-based conservation measures in their countries, in the form of country dossiers, and questions to work on to effectively prepare for the consultation. The participants will be engaged via e-mails, teleconference, and webinars. I thank you for your cooperation and sustained support to the Convention, as well as your contribution towards progress on the elements of Aichi Target 11 and, in general, area-based conservation. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points; PoWPA Focal Points;, SBSTTA Focal Points; Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities; Relevant Organizations; Bi-lateral and Multilateral Funding Agencies.