Notification 2010-128

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that a global expert workshop on ‘Biodiversity Benefits of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries’ will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 20 to 24 September 2010. This workshop is being convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) with the generous financial support of the government of Germany and in collaboration with the UN REDD Programme (United Nations Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries). The workshop will be held in English. The purpose of the workshop, pursuant to decision IX/5 of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD, is to support the efforts of Parties in addressing reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in a way that contributes to the implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity. The workshop will address elements presently discussed under the UNFCCC in this context, notably reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, and the role of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks in developing countries (REDD-plus), with the aim to provide recommendations for synergies between REDD-plus and the implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity (The acronyms REDD and REDD-plus are used without any attempt to pre-empt ongoing of future negotiations under the UNFCCC.). Specifically, the workshop address potential risks associated with REDD-plus that could result in activities that run counter to the objectives of the CBD, and develop recommendations how these risks can be addressed. The workshop will also focus on opportunities in the context of REDD-plus, related to the following elements of the programme of work on forest biodiversity: the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity; the institutional and socio-economic enabling environment; and monitoring of impacts of REDD-plus efforts on forest biodiversity. The workshop also intends to strengthen coordination among the national focal points for the CBD and the UNFCCC. In this respect, it is my pleasure to invite you to nominate two country-designated technical experts to participate in this workshop. In submitting nominations, please note that one of the designated experts should be involved in national-level implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity (decisions VI/22 and IX/5), and/or the development and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The second designated expert should be directly involved in the preparation or implementation of national-level climate change mitigation and adaptation activities related to forests in the framework of the UNFCCC. The nominated experts should be in a position to prepare and present a single brief national report on challenges and opportunities related to forest biodiversity, including pilot and demonstration activities on REDD-plus in their countries. Available resources allow the Secretariat to offer financial travel support to cover the costs of participation for approximately 20 developing country participants, representing both the UN REDD Programme and Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) pilot countries. In addition, a number of representatives of indigenous and local community organizations will be sponsored. Participants eligible for financial travel support will be provided with air travel, accommodation, meals and an allowance for incidental costs. The selection of sponsored participants will be made on basis of relevant expertise and language skills, and geographic and gender balance. I would appreciate receiving the names and coordinates of your nominees, together with brief outlines of their areas of expertise, at your earliest convenience, but no later than 10 August 2010, by fax to +1 (514) 288-6588, or scanned and attached to an email addressed to secretariat@cbd.int. I look forward to your suggestions and response. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, CHM Focal Points, POWPA Focal Points, Indigenous and Local Community Organizations, Members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests, other Relevant Organizations