Notification 2009-081

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to announce that an International Workshop on Innovative Financial Mechanisms will be held in Bonn, Germany, from 27-29 January 2010. In accordance with decision IX/11, the workshop is organized in collaboration with The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) Secretariat located at UNEP, and with generous support from the Government of Germany, to assess the status of knowledge and related use concerning innovative financial mechanisms at all levels as identified by the Conference of the Parties, and develop policy options concerning innovative financial mechanisms. In decision IX/11, the Conference of the Parties also requests the Executive Secretary to prepare a document on policy options concerning innovative financial mechanisms, with inputs from regional centres of excellence in a geographically balanced way and forward it to the Ad Hoc Working Group on Review of Implementation of the Convention (WGRI). I take this opportunity to invite Parties to recommend to the Secretariat regional centres of excellence that have relevant expertise and experience, with recognized experts, in innovative financial mechanisms in general, and in particular with respect to payment for ecosystem services, biodiversity offsets, environmental fiscal reforms, market for green products, business-biodiversity partnerships and charity, new and innovative sources of international development finance, climate change funding, and biodiversity, as identified in decision IX/11. In view of the importance of regional centres of excellence in advancing innovative financial mechanisms, the Secretariat would appreciate receiving your recommendations by 15 August 2009. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points