Notification 2010-025

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that the Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing, Mr. Fernando Casas of Colombia and Mr. Timothy Hodges of Canada, will be holding informal consultations prior to the ninth meeting of the Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing. The informal consultations will be held in the same venue as the meeting of the Working Group: the Centro de Eventos Valle Del Pacífico (CEVP), in Cali, Colombia. In addition, in accordance with decision IX/12, paragraph 5, arrangements have been made for regional and interregional consultations. Informal consultations with the Co-Chairs The Co-Chairs will hold open-ended informal consultations for all interested delegations and stakeholders, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, 21 March 2010. In addition, the Co-Chairs will be available for consultations with individual delegations or representatives of regional and other groups, as well as stakeholders, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on 20 March. The consultations with individual delegations will be held in the Co-Chairs’ office at the CEVP. Delegates who wish to meet with the Co-Chairs individually are kindly requested to so inform the Secretariat at their earliest convenience. The Secretariat will make the necessary arrangements and confirm appointments in due course. Regional and interregional consultations In accordance with decision IX/12, paragraph 5, arrangements have also been made for regional and interregional consultations from 10:00 am to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on 20 March, and from 3 to 6 p.m. on 21 March. Information regarding meeting rooms for the regional groups will be available on site. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, international organisations, indigenous and local community organisations and stakeholders