Notification 2010-125

Dear Madam/Sir, In adopting its Resolution 61/193, the United Nations General Assembly decided to proclaim 2011 as International Year of Forests. Forests are the most important terrestrial reservoir of biodiversity. They produce globally important ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, rainfall generation, and over 5000 commercial forest products. More than 1.6 billion people depend directly on forests for their livelihoods, food, water, materials for shelter and medicine. The health and vitality of forests, and thus the full range of services they can provide, are directly linked to biodiversity. In light of the above, the International Year of Forests 2011 will serve as a significant reminder of the absolute necessity of forests in our daily lives, and will provide a unique opportunity to reflect and to learn about the important connections between forests and biodiversity. The Secretariat of the CBD is pleased to announce that the theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity 2011 will focus on “Forest Biodiversity” to coincide with the global celebrations of the year. The Secretariat of the CBD is also pleased to announce that promotional material will be made available in December 2010 in time for the closing event of the International Year of Biodiversity to be held on 18-19 December in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, which will also coincide with the launch, in partnership with the Secretariat of the United Nations Forum on Forests, of the of International Year of Forests 2011. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points and International Organizations