Notification 2010-111

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 (WG ABS), Mr. Fernando Casas of Colombia and Mr. Timothy Hodges of Canada, will be holding informal consultations prior to the resumed ninth meeting of the Working Group. Both the informal consultations and the resumed ninth meeting of the Working Group will be held in the conference facilities of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), in Montreal, Canada. In addition, 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 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, 9 July, at ICAO Conference Center. 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 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 8 July. The consultations with individual delegations will be held in the Co-Chairs’ office, also located in the ICAO Conference Center. Delegations wishing to meet individually with the Co-Chairs are kindly requested to inform the Secretariat at their earliest convenience in order to make necessary arrangements. 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 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 8 July, and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on 9 July. 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