Notification 2014-137

Dear Madam/Sir, In Notification 2014-096 (http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2014/ntf-2014-096-SDGs-en.pdf) dated 25 July 2014, the Secretariat was pleased to announce that the theme for the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May 2015 will be: “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development” The theme reflects the importance of efforts made at all levels to establish a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the United Nations Post-2015 Development Agenda for the period of 2015-2030 and the relevance of biodiversity for the achievement of sustainable development. The selection of the theme also underlines the adoption of the Gangwon Declaration, by ministers and participants to the High-level Segment of the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Gangwon Declaration welcomed the importance given to biodiversity in the outcome document of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals and called for the further integration and mainstreaming of biodiversity in the Post-2015 Development Agenda. In the Declaration, the Ministers also called on Parties, other governments, international organizations and stakeholders to link the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda to other relevant processes such as the United Nations Development Assistance Framework process and the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, and to integrate implementation of the Strategic Plan and Aichi Biodiversity Targets with the implementation of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, paying due regard to the key role and contribution of women in sustainable development. As per past practices, the Secretariat will be organizing several events to mark the occasion including an event to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. In addition, the Secretariat is also in the process of developing a variety of outreach materials to help celebrate this important day including, inter alia, the following: - Key messages for the day - Web page featuring events and information materials, and links to partner activities - Information booklet on the theme of “Biodiversity for Sustainable Development.” In light of the above, I am pleased to invite Parties and relevant organizations that have already initiated national plans for activities to celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity to keep the Secretariat informed of such plans and other noteworthy activities organized by NGOs or other organizations so that they may be included in the special pages of the CBD website devoted to these celebrations worldwide http://www.cbd.int/idb/2015/. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points and relevant organizations