Notification 2018-035

Dear Madam/Sir, As host of the upcoming UN Biodiversity Conference 2018, Egypt has decided to convene the High-level Segment of the conference around the theme of “Investing in Biodiversity for People and Planet”, covering the sectors of energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing, and health in the broader context of sustainable development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity will also be addressing the mainstreaming of biodiversity in these sectors. The Secretariat and Egypt, as host country, will provide an opportunity for Parties and other Governments to announce voluntary commitments and initiatives during the High-level Segment, relevant to the mainstreaming of biodiversity in these sectors. Such commitments and initiatives could be made by a single government, or as a coalition with other governments, and may also involve partner organizations and other stakeholders. The commitments and initiatives should demonstrate leadership in the mainstreaming of biodiversity in one or more of these sectors. Examples of the kinds of commitments and initiatives that could be announced include, but are not limited to, the following: (a) A commitment to apply global best practices for environmental safeguards for national investments in projects related to these sectors; (b) A commitment to apply strategic environmental assessments or similar upstream planning mechanisms to all decisions related to investments in these sectors; © A commitment to utilize new inter-ministerial processes that aim to integrate biodiversity considerations into decisions related to these sectors; (d) An announcement of new legislation related to mainstreaming of biodiversity in one or more of these sectors; and € An initiative to support capacity-building for the mainstreaming of biodiversity in one or more of these sectors. The commitments and initiatives will be announced during the High-level Segment, and also made available on the Convention’s website. Proposals for voluntary commitments should be communicated to the Secretariat at secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible, and preferably before 1 August 2018. Parties are encouraged to communicate with other Parties and partners with a view to establishing coalitions. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points