Notification 2009-109

Dear Madam/Sir, As you know, in section D-I of decision VIII/5, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the criteria for the operation of the Voluntary Funding Mechanism to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in the work of the CBD. In connection with the sixth meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions and the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing, after due consideration of all nominations received and in accordance with the selection criteria established in the Annex of the referred decision, I am pleased to inform Parties that the selection of representatives of indigenous and local communities to receive financial assistance in support of their participation in the above-mentioned meetings has been completed. The list of beneficiaries of financial assistance is attached for your information. The selected participants will be contacted directly by the Secretariat with regard to travel arrangements. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. List of beneficiaries of the Voluntary Fund for the sixth meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions (WG8J 6), and the eighth meeting of the Working Group on ABS (WGABS 8), Montreal, November 2009 Africa 1. Ms. Lucy Mulenkei (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 2. Mr. Charles Masabo (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 3. Mr. Lembulung M. Ole Kosyando (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 4. Mr. Pacific Mukumba (WG8J 6 only) 5. Ms. Hajara Haman (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) Asia 1. Ms. Jannie Lasimbang (WG8J 6 only) 2. Ms. Jocelyn (Joji) Carino (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 3. Ms. Shimreichon Luithui-Erni (WG8J 6 only) 4. Mr. Gam Shimray (WGABS 8 only) 5. Mr. Nwang Sherpa (WG8J 6 only) Eastern Europe and the Caucasus 1. Ms. Nyurguyana (Yana) Dordina (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 2. Mr. Petr Azhunov (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) Europe and the Arctic 1. Mr. Mattias Ahren (WGABS 8 only) 2. Ms. Gunn-Britt Retter (WG8J 6 only) Latin America and the Caribbean 1. Ms. Maria Eugenia Choque Quispe (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 2. Ms. Lucia Fernanda Inácio Belfort (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 3. Ms. Victoria Esther Camac Ramírez (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 4. Ms. Maria Yolanda Terán Maigua (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 5. Mr. Diego Escobar (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 6. Mr. Juan Carlos Jinitiach (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 7. Mr. Crescencio Bastida Muñoz (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 8. a. Ms. Florina López Miro (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) b. Mr. Onel Arias Arias (WGABS 8 only - DSA only) 9. Mr. Santiago Obispo (WG8J 6 only) North America 1. Mr. Merle Alexander (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) The Pacific 1. Ms. Malia Nobrega (WG8J 6 and the WGABS 8) 2. Ms. Neva Collins (WG8J 6 only) 3. Mr. Les Malezer (WGABS 8 only - DSA only)

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Indigenous and Local Communities