Notification 2013-012

Dear Madam/Sir, The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary to collaborate with other conventions, in particular the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), to promote mutually supportive actions addressing climate change and biodiversity, including on adaptation. The Least Developed Countries Expert Group (LEG) established by the COP to the UNFCCC provides technical guidance and advice to the least developed countries (LDCs) in addressing adaptation to climate change through the national adaptation programmes of action (NAPAs), the LDC work programme and the national adaptation plan (NAP) process. Its mandate, among others, includes the facilitation the exchange of information and promotion of regional synergies, and synergies with other multilateral environment conventions. I am pleased to inform you that the CBD Secretariat is collaborating with the UNFCCC Secretariat to include participation of biodiversity experts in the upcoming LEG regional training workshop on adaptation for Francophone LDCs, to take place from 18 – 22 March 2013, in Lomé, Togo. The CBD Secretariat, thanks to the generous financial contribution from the Government of Japan, is in a position to fund the participation of a limited number of experts. Parties are hereby invited to nominate one expert, to be considered for selection to take part in the above-mentioned LEG regional training workshop. Please note that the meeting will be held in French. Parties are requested to nominate a representative using the following criteria: • The nominated representative should have knowledge and understanding of the links between biodiversity and climate change; • Practical experience in integrating biodiversity into climate change project/policy, or alternatively, in integrating climate change into biodiversity project/policy; • After the workshop, the representative should be in a position to translate the knowledge gained into concrete actions; and • Experience in mainstreaming biodiversity in development and economic planning is an asset. Nominations should come in the form of an official letter signed by the focal point or a senior government official addressed to the Executive Secretary, by email at secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at: +1 514 288 6588. The nomination must contain the name and full contact details of the nominee (including email address), and be accompanied by a curriculum vitae clearly indicating the relevant areas of expertise. Kindly submit nominations as soon as possible and no later than 20 February 2013. I look forward to receiving your nominations and I thank you in advance for your cooperation. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sao Tomé & Principe, Senegal, and Togo