Notification 2017-021

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that the Biodiversity e-Learning Platform developed by the Secretariat has been launched and is now accessible at: http://scbd.unssc.org. The platform was established pursuant to paragraph 8(e) of decision XII/2 B, requesting the Executive Secretary to promote the use of advanced technologies to further enhance capacity building, technical and scientific cooperation and technology transfer. It was developed with funding from the Government of Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund, and is maintained in collaboration with the United Nations System Staff College. The platform is designed to provide a one-stop-access to e-learning modules and courses relating to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing developed by the Secretariat in collaboration with partner organizations. It facilitates self-paced learning and allows users to download certificates for the courses completed. Currently the platform contains 26 e-learning modules on the following thematic areas: (a) Biosafety: modules on public access to biosafety information, and on public participation in decision-making regarding living modified organisms and an e-course on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for customs/border control officials, developed in collaboration with the Green Customs Initiative; (b) Biodiversity valuation: modules on basic principles, approaches and steps to biodiversity and ecosystem services valuation; and (c) Protected areas: modules on various topics such as protected areas network design, management planning, governance, sustainable finance, and adaptive management, developed in collaboration with International Union for Conservation of Nature-World Commission on Protected Areas, United Nations Development Programme and The Nature Conservancy. In addition, new e-learning modules on access and benefit-sharing, some of which are developed in collaboration with the International Development Law Organization, will be made available soon. I would like to invite Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders to encourage their staff and respective audiences to visit the new platform and enroll in the relevant modules. The Secretariat welcomes comments and feedback to support the further development of the platform.

Deputy Executive Secretary

To: CBD, CPB, NP Focal Points, other Governments, relevant organizations and IPLCs