Notification 2009-091

Dear Madam/Sir, At its ninth meeting, the Conference of the Parties (COP) invited Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, including in the context of the United Nations Ad Hoc Open-ended Informal Working Group to study issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity beyond areas of national jurisdiction, to cooperate in further developing scientific and technical guidance for the implementation of environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments for activities and processes under their jurisdiction and control which may have significant adverse impacts on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction, taking into consideration the work of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, and other relevant organizations, with a view to ensuring such activities are regulated in such a way that they do not compromise ecosystem integrity, and to report to the Conference of the Parties at its tenth meeting on progress made in that regard. COP 9 then decided, taking into account the relevant provisions of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on Biological Diversity, to convene an expert workshop, including experts from different relevant organizations, with balanced regional and sectoral representation, to discuss scientific and technical aspects relevant to environmental impact assessment in areas beyond national jurisdiction with a view to contributing to the development of such scientific and technical guidance, building on ongoing relevant sectoral, regional and national environmental impact assessment efforts. Pursuant to this request, the Executive Secretary is convening, with financial support from the European Commission, an expert workshop on scientific and technical aspects relevant to environmental impact assessment in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction in Manila, Philippines, from 18 to 20 November 2009 (refer to previous CBD Notification Ref No. 2009-040, issued on 22 April 2009). In this regard, the Executive Secretary wishes to invite Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to kindly provide relevant information concerning the objectives of the above-mentioned expert workshop, in particular regarding ongoing relevant sectoral, regional and national environmental impact assessment efforts, which can contribute to the development of scientific and technical guidance for the implementation of environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments for activities and processes under their jurisdiction and control which may have significant adverse impacts on marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction. The submissions should be sent to the Secretariat (secretariat@cbd.int or fax +1-514-288-6588) at your earliest convenience, but no later than 18 September 2009. Information can be submitted in any format as appropriate. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter 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, SBSTTA Focal Points, other Governments, and relevant organizations