Notification 2011-016

Dear Madam/Sir, At its fifth meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) adopted decision BS-V/3 on Status of Capacity-Building Activities. Section IV of the decision concerns cooperation on identification of capacity-building needs for research and information exchange on socio-economic considerations. I would like to draw your attention here below to elements of the decision that request action from Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations prior to the sixth meeting of the COP-MOP and the timeline proposed by the Secretariat for the implementation of the specified activities and preparation of the relevant documentation in a timely manner (see Annex). In order to facilitate the preparation of the online regional conferences requested in paragraph 24 of the decision, online discussion groups will be held through the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH). Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations are invited to nominate representatives to participate in the online discussion groups by completing and submitting the form available through the BCH at http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_art26/portal.shtml. Forms should clearly indicate the nominee’s experience and expertise in the field of socio-economic considerations, e.g. relevant work experience, educational background, publications, etc. Furthermore, to facilitate the work on socio-economic considerations and the timely provision of information, a collaborative portal on socio-economic considerations has been created in the Biosafety Clearing-House at the following address: http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_art26/portal.shtml. Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations are urged to submit their nominations and the information requested in the Annex below as soon as possible. Information should be submitted to the Executive Secretary preferably by e-mail at secretariat@cbd.int. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) National Focal Points, CBD National Focal Points (where CPB focal points have not yet been designated), Relevant Organizations