Notification 2005-058

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision VII/30, the Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted a framework to facilitate the evaluation of achievements and progress in the implementation of the strategic plan of the Convention on Biological Diversity and, in particular, its mission to achieve by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional, and national levels. The framework (annex II to decision VII/30) aims at promoting coherence among the various programmes of work of the Convention. In particular, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice to the Convention (SBSTTA) has been requested by the COP to develop recommendations for the integration of outcome-oriented targets into each of the thematic programmes of work by identifying more precise targets, including, as appropriate, quantitative elements. In light of the above, I hereby invite you to review and comment on the incorporation of outcome oriented targets and their technical rationales as proposed by the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on the Review of Implementation of the Programme of Work on Forest Biological Diversity (pursuant to paragraph 7 of decision VII/1) for the expanded programme of work on forest biological diversity. Specifically, proposals are requested for relevant indicators to be applied under each technical rationale as a way of measuring progress in achieving the respective target. The inputs will be later forwarded to the AHTEG, which will meet in July 2005 to finalize the proposed outcome oriented targets into the forest work programme before submission to SBSTTA 11. The document is posted at the Convention’s forest web portal, available at: https://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/portal/home.shtml. I would appreciate your inputs by no later than 3 June 2005.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points & SBSTTA Focal Points