Notification 2016-120

Dear Madam/Sir, I would like to draw your attention to the Third Science for Biodiversity Forum to be held from 1 to 2 December 2016, in Cancun, Mexico, prior to the opening of the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13). The Forum is organized by the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico (SEMARNAT), the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), the National Commission for Knowledge and Use of Biodiversity (CONABIO) of Mexico, the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Sociedad Científica Mexicana de Ecología, A.C. (SCME), Instituto de Ecologia-UNAM and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in collaboration with the German Cooperation for Development (GIZ) and Future Earth. The theme of the Forum is: “Mainstreaming biodiversity for well-being: contributions from science to policy”. The discussions will particularly focus on mainstreaming biodiversity into key economic sectors including agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss other issues including biodiversity and health, climate change and access and benefit-sharing. There will also be a panel discussion on “technical and scientific cooperation for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity”, including the proposed action plan for the Bio-Bridge Initiative, which was launched by the government of the Republic of Korea at the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties. The Forum will provide a platform for the participants to share knowledge, experiences and solutions for mainstreaming biodiversity and to showcase success stories, good practices and approaches, and lessons learned. Government delegates, scientists, and representatives of civil society and the private sector involved in initiatives on mainstreaming biodiversity are encouraged to participate in the Forum. Further information about the Forum and the registration form are available at: http://cop13.mx/en/science-for-biodiversity-forum. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD, CPB and ABS National Focal Points and relevant organizations