Notification 2017-114

Dear Madam/Sir, I refer to notification 2017-081, dated 28 August 2017, inviting Parties to nominate qualified representatives to serve in an informal advisory group on synergies to be established pursuant to paragraph 15 of decision XIII/24. I am pleased to inform you that following review of the nominations received against experience sought and following consultation with the Bureau, I have established the informal advisory group with membership as listed in the annex to this notification. The response to the invitation has indicated a high level of interest among Parties towards this issue and to contributing to the work of the informal advisory group. In determining the size and composition of the Group we have therefore sought to make it as inclusive as possible and to accommodate the greatest diversity of national circumstances and experience. The membership provides balanced representation among regions and regional groups, developed and developing countries, gender balance and diversity of professional experience, and may in future be supplemented in order to address any gaps in representation. In order to support its work, a meeting of the informal advisory group will be convened by the Secretariat in Montreal, Canada, on 17 and 18 December 2017, which is timed to take advantage of the presence of several of the members at the forthcoming open-ended intersessional meetings of the Convention. Financial support would be provided to facilitate the participation of a limited number of representatives of developing countries or countries with economy in transition. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points