Notification 2008-001

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 11(e) of decision VIII/2, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), to organize a consultative workshop on the achievement of the 2010 Biodiversity Target in dry and sub-humid lands. In response to this request, the Secretariat is organizing an Online Discussion Forum to gather information on the identification of priority activities, capacity needs and obstacles with regard to the achievement of the 2010 Biodiversity Target in dry and sub-humid lands. I am, therefore, pleased to invite Parties to participate in the Forum and solicit them for their inputs and guidance on the above subject. The Online Discussion Forum is accessible at the Secretariat web site at the following link: http://www.cbd.int/drylands/forum.shtml. Three background documents will be available online to facilitate the discussion. Please note that you will need to register to be able to take part in the Forum and that it will close on 8 February 2008. The outcomes of this Online Discussion Forum will contribute to the preparation of a document which will be finalized at a meeting to be held at the margins of the thirteenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 13). The final report will be presented at the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9), to be held in Bonn, Germany, from 19-30 May 2008. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD and SBSTTA National Focal Points