Notification 2009-068

Dear Madam/Sir, At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention decided to convene an expert workshop to provide scientific and technical guidance on the use and further development of biogeographic classification systems, and guidance on the identification of areas beyond the national jurisdiction which meet the scientific criteria in annex I to decision IX/20 (decision IX/20, paragraph 19). Pursuant to this decision, the Secretariat is convening an expert workshop, with the financial support from the Governments of Canada and Germany. It will be held in Ottawa, Canada, from 29 September to 2 October 2009. The purpose of this notification is to invite Parties, other Governments, and relevant organizations and experts to contribute their views and relevant information to an online discussion forum (https://www.cbd.int/marine/forums/), which was established to facilitate effective preparation for this expert workshop. Specifically, this online discussion forum aims at following purposes: - to clarify expectations for the outputs of the workshop; - to facilitate compiling and synthesizing background information as an input to the workshop; - to facilitate brainstorming on anticipated scientific opportunities, uncertainties and challenges related to workshop discussion; and - to invite existing/potential users/regulatory agencies at regional and national levels, to articulate their specific needs, goals, and challenges in applying scientific criteria and biogeographic classification system. This online discussion forum will be kept alive until 31 August 2009. The results of this online discussion forum will be compiled and made available as information for the participants to the above-mentioned expert workshop. Please accept, Madam / Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points, Other Governments, and relevant organizations