Notification 2012-072

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 7 of the decision X/39, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary, with the assistance of the Coordination Mechanism for the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) and in collaboration with relevant international organizations, to hold capacity-building training workshops in all subregions and regions as needed. Accordingly, the Secretariat is organizing a GTI capacity building workshop in collaboration with the Government of Thailand entitled, “GTI Subregional Capacity-building Workshop to Address Invasive Alien Species and to Achieve Aichi Biodiversity Targets in East and South East Asia”, from 30 July to 1 August 2012 at the Khao Yai National Park in Thailand. The purpose of this workshop is to build capacity to address invasive alien species and to support implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, in order to integrate GTI activities, as needed, into National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in East and South East Asia. More specifically, this includes introducing the concept of mainstreaming biodiversity and providing technical training on project proposal writing to the GTI focal points and relevant experts in the region, and to help provide information on the status of taxonomic capacity in the region. In light of the above, we are pleased to invite your Government to nominate an expert to participate in the workshop. This should preferably be the GTI Focal Point for your country. If you do not have a GTI Focal Point, you may nominate a SBSTTA Focal Point or an expert who should be in a position to translate the capacity gained into concrete actions in support on national implementation. These nominations should be in the form of an official signed letter by you and must include full contact details. Nominations other than for the GTI Focal Point or the SBSTTA Focal Point should be accompanied by a curriculum vitae clearly indicating the areas of expertise and experience of the nominee. The Secretariat will be in a position to finance the participation of one expert from each eligible Party. The official signed letter can either be scanned and emailed to secretariat@cbd.int or faxed to the Secretariat at + 1 514 288 6588, no later than 10 June 2012. We look forward to receiving your nominations, and I thank you in advance for your support and cooperation. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: GTI National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal points East and South East Asian countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Viet Nam, China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Japan, Mongolia, Republic of Korea