Notification 2016-031

Dear Madam/Sir, As you may be aware, the fourth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES-4) was held from 22 to 28 February 2016 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A number of outcomes relevant to the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity were achieved. During the meeting, the summary for policy makers of the first assessment prepared by IPBES, the Thematic Assessment of Pollinators, Pollination and Food Production, was approved. An advanced, unedited version is available at www.ipbes.net/plenary/ipbes-4. Issues related to pollinators will be considered during the twentieth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice under agenda item 7 and the outcomes of the thematic assessment have been reflected in document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/20/9. IPBES also approved the summary for policy makers of its second assessment, The Methodological Assessment of Scenarios and Models of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The report describes how scenarios and models can help decision makers evaluate the future impacts of policies or management decisions. Issues related to the methodological assessment of scenarios and models will be addressed during the twentieth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice under agenda item 11 and the outcomes of the assessment have been reflected in document UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/20/13. A three-year scientific assessment of biodiversity and ecosystem services was also launched during IPBES-4. This global assessment, which is to be completed by 2019, will measure progress towards meeting commitments under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals. Given the timing and scope of this assessment, its conclusions will be highly relevant to the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Further information on the outcomes of the fourth session of the Plenary of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, including documentation, is available from http://www.ipbes.net/plenary/ipbes-4. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD and SBTTA National Focal Points