Notification 2017-104

Dear Madam/Sir, Article 31 of the Nagoya Protocol provides that the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP-MOP) is to undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Protocol four years after its entry into force. At its second meeting, the COP-MOP adopted decision NP-2/4 which identifies the elements and sources of information to be included in the first assessment and review, including the possibility of a targeted survey to collect additional information (paragraph 3). The purpose of this notification is to collect information on: (a) the use of model contractual clauses, codes of conduct, guidelines, best practices and/or standards as well as indigenous peoples and local communities’ customary laws, community protocols and procedures; and (b) the implementation and operation of the ABS Clearing-House. Information gathered will supplement the information submitted by countries through interim national reports and the ABS Clearing-House and will be taken into account in the documents to be prepared by the Executive Secretary for the consideration of the second meeting of Subsidiary Body on Implementation in July 2018, and the third meeting of the COP-MOP, in December 2018. Against this background, the Executive Secretary invites: (a) Relevant stakeholders, such as the private sector/business community, research/scientific community and ex situ collections, to provide information on the development, update and use of model contractual clauses, codes of conduct, guidelines, best practices and/or standards in relation to access and benefit-sharing; (b) Indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organisations to provide information on customary laws and the development of community protocols and procedures in relation to access to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of such knowledge; and (c) Parties, non-Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant stakeholders to provide feedback on the implementation and operation of the ABS Clearing-House by filling out the following survey: https://goo.gl/forms/n8aOhECy91lrL4lJ2 With a view to gathering as much information as possible on developments related to the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, the Executive Secretary invites the wide dissemination of this notification. Kindly make relevant information available as soon as possible, and no later than 15 November 2017. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: ABS National Focal Points, CBD National Focal Points, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and relevant stakeholders