Notification 2013-062

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that the Secretariat, in collaboration with the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON), is organizing an expert workshop to discuss ways in which collection of, access to, and use of, biodiversity data and observations could be enhanced to support evidence-based decision-making and planning with a view to achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and corresponding national targets. The workshop will be held on 12 October 2013 in Montreal, on the margins of the eighth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (WG8J 8) (from 7 to 11 October 2013) and the seventeenth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 17) (from 14 to 18 October 2013). The workshop will bring together experts from GEO BON and the agencies and institutions contributing to its work and those engaged in implementing the Convention at national level. It will provide for an exchange in experiences on approaches taken to use systematic observations, including observations from remote sensing, for monitoring change in biodiversity and for landscape level planning. It will also highlight the obstacles encountered, such as the lack of observation capacity, lack of access to observations or limited technical capacities to process the information. This will enable a dialogue with the Group on Earth Observations community which aims to establish a worldwide biodiversity observation network to collect, manage, share and analyse observations of the status and trends of the world's biodiversity, and enable decision-making in support of the conservation and improved management of natural resources. It is envisaged that the conclusions from the workshop will be formally reported to the SBSTTA 17 meeting in the following week and will support the consideration of scientific and technical needs related to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 2020. Parties are invited to nominate experts to participate in this workshop with special attention be given to nominated experts with relevant experience in the field of biodiversity data and observations. Nominations should be sent to the CBD Secretariat, no later than 20 August 2013, in the form of an official letter signed by the CBD National Focal Point or the SBSTTA National Focal Point, together with a Curriculum Vitae, addressed to the Executive Secretary (by fax at +1 514 288 6588 or by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int). The letter of nomination should indicate whether the nominee will also be participating in the SBSTTA 17 meeting and/or the WG8J 8 meeting. Given the limited financial resources available, priority will be given to nominees already eligible for funding for their participation in one or both of these meetings. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points