Notification 2014-042

Dear Madam/Sir, In response to decision XI/18, I am writing to request information on the impacts of marine debris on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats. In paragraph 26 of decision XI/18 A, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) requested the Executive Secretary to invite Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, including the Convention on Migratory Species, to submit information on the impacts of marine debris on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats, and to compile and synthesize submissions by Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, along with additional scientific and technical information. The compilation/synthesis of submissions will be submitted for consideration by a meeting of the Subsidiary Body prior to the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. Pursuant to the above request, I am pleased to invite you to submit information on the impacts of marine debris on marine and coastal biodiversity and habitats. Background information relevant to this request can be found in annex IV to document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/6, which outlines the key messages of a report prepared by the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel of the Global Environment Facility on the impacts of marine debris on marine and coastal biodiversity (UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/16/INF/15). Kindly provide your inputs as soon as possible but no later than 30 April 2014, to allow sufficient time for the Secretariat to compile and collate submitted information. Contributions should be sent to the CBD Secretariat via e-mail at: secretariat@cbd.int or faxed to +1 514 288-6588. I thank you for your continued support of the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal points; relevant organizations, including the Convention on Migratory Species; and indigenous and local communities