Notification 2011-064

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision BS-V/13, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) adopted a programme of work on public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms covering the period 2011 to 2015. As part of the ongoing support to assist Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations in the implementation of Article 23 of the Protocol and in particular the programme of work on public awareness, education and participation, I am pleased to announce that the Secretariat has produced a video on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The purpose of the video is to promote awareness of the main provisions of the Protocol. It can be downloaded from the Protocol website at http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_media_video1.shtml. A copy of the video can also be requested from the Executive Secretary by sending an e-mail to: secretariat@cbd.int. I invite you to make the video available to various stakeholders in your country for use in their biosafety outreach activities. Furthermore, to facilitate the implementation of the programme of work, the Secretariat has made available a number of resource materials at http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_art23_pow.shtml. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage all Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to share similar materials through the Biosafety Information Resource Centre in the Biosafety Clearing House: http://bch.cbd.int/managementcentre/edit/resource.shtml or to send them by e-mail to the Secretariat 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