Notification 2009-116

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 12 of decision IX/2 the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity requested the Executive Secretary to convene regional workshops on the sustainable production and use of biofuels, subject to the availability of financial resources, aiming at considering ways and means to promote the positive and minimize the negative impacts of the production and use of biofuels on biodiversity, taking into account relevant guidance from the Convention. Accordingly, the Executive Secretary has planned, with funding from the Government of Germany and in collaboration with the Government of Ghana, a Regional Workshop for Africa on Ways and Means to Promote the Sustainable Production and Use of Biofuels, to be held from 17 to 19 November 2009, in Accra, Ghana. The objective of the workshop is to share experiences on the development and application of tools relevant to the sustainable production and use of biofuels, in relation to promoting the positive and minimizing the negative impacts on biodiversity and related socio-economic aspects, including those related to indigenous and local communities, taking into account their full life-cycle as compared to other fuel types. I am pleased to invite you to nominate one representative of your government to be financed by the Secretariat to participate in the workshop at your earliest convenience, but not later than 10 October 2009. Nominations must include full contact details and should be sent via official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary (faxed to +1 (514) 288-6588, or scanned and attached to an email addressed to: secretariat@cbd.int ) and must be accompanied by a curriculum vitae clearly indicating the areas of expertise of the nominee. I thank you in advance for your cooperation and your continued support for the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points in Africa