Notification 2014-076

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that, with the generous support of the Government of Japan, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in collaboration with the Equator Initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (EI UNDP) and World Indigenous and Local Community Land and Sea Managers Network (WIN), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and other international and local partners including the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), is organizing a regional capacity-building workshop for the Pacific region, on traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use for indigenous and local community representatives and National Focal Points on Traditional Knowledge of the CBD, which will be held in Apia, Samoa, from 27 to 29 August 2014. The purpose of the workshop is to strengthen the capacity of indigenous and local community representatives, as well as National Focal Points on Traditional Knowledge, on Articles 8(j) and 10(c) and related provisions of the CBD and prepare them as trainers to offer national or local capacity-building workshops, in line with the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, particularly Target 18. It will also contribute to participants’ preparations for the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to be held from 6 to 17 October 2014, in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. In connection with this workshop, the World Intellectual Property Organization will also be organizing and funding a workshop on intellectual property issues related to traditional knowledge for indigenous and local community representatives and National Focal Points on Traditional Knowledge on 26 August 2014. Participants attending the above-mentioned regional capacity-building workshop are also invited to participate in the WIPO workshop. The two workshops will be conducted in English. In addition to these workshops, the WIN and EI UNDP will support indigenous and local community participants selected for the workshops to remain on in Samoa, to participate in the preparatory process (30-31 August) and the Small Island Developing States Summit (1-4 September) in the form of a community dialogue and indigenous and local community caucus to SIDs. I am pleased to invite interested Parties and indigenous and local community organizations of the Pacific Region to nominate representatives based on the following criteria: (i) Their expertise on traditional knowledge and related issues; and (ii) Their ability to conduct further training at national, sub-national or local levels. Nominations should take the form of an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, by e mail at: secretariat@cbd.int, or by fax at: +1 (514) 288-6588, and must contain full contact details of the nominee, along with a curriculum vitae clearly indicating the relevant areas of expertise. Nominations should be submitted no later than 20 June 2014. Subject to the availability of funds, the Secretariat of the CBD will select the participants on the basis of regional balance, gender equity, relevant expertise, and ability to offer trainings to build the capacity of indigenous and local communities at national, sub-national and/or local levels. A list with the names of the selected participants will be posted on the CBD website http://www.cbd.int/meetings/ once the selection is completed or at least six weeks before the events, selected participants will be contacted directly by the Secretariat. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD and Traditional Knowledge Focal Points, indigenous and local community organizations and international organizations of the Pacific