Decision COP 15/35

The Conference of the Parties,

Recalling its decision 15/32 of 19 December 2022,

Noting the withdrawal by the Government of Türkiye of its offer to host the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, owing to the challenges of recovery from the damage caused by the tragic earthquakes suffered by the country in February 2023,

Recalling notification No. 2023-082 of 31 July 2023, in which the Secretariat invited Parties to submit as soon as possible their expression of interest in hosting the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization,

1. Expresses its sympathy and solidarity to the people and Government of Türkiye for the losses that they have suffered in the aftermath of the earthquakes;

2. Requests that the Executive Secretary expedite consultations with Parties on the date and venue of the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol and, in the absence of any viable offer from a Party by the end of December 2023, explore, in consultation with the Bureau, arrangements to hold the meetings at the seat of the Secretariat.