Notification 2018-053

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision CP-VIII/12, the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety requested the Executive Secretary to support, subject to the availability of resources, regional and subregional capacity-building activities on risk assessment of Living Modified organisms. In response to this request, and with support from the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea Biosafety Capacity-Building Initiative, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is organizing a training course on Risk Assessment, to be held in Panama City, Panama from 20 to 24 August 2018, with the objective of providing theoretical and hands-on training for participants from Latin American countries on: (a) The risk analysis and risk assessment processes (concepts, methodology, key issues to considered); (b) Problem formulation approach (hypothesis formulation, risk scenarios); (c) Hands on training in the evaluation of case studies of living modified organisms for environmental release. Accordingly, I am pleased to invite your Government to nominate a representative to take part in the workshop. The nominee must be involved, or is expected to be involved, in conducting risk assessment of living modified organisms and must have an understanding of molecular biology, biotechnology and biology concepts related to biosafety. The official nomination letter must be accompanied by the completed attached nomination form indicating the activities in which the nominee has been involved that are relevant to biosafety and risk assessment of living modified organisms as well as the anticipated benefits of the workshop. Participants will be selected on the basis of their relevant expertise as well as geographical representation and gender balance. Only complete forms and nominations submitted through the Cartagena Protocol Focal Point or from the head of the organization, as appropriate, will be considered. Due to the limited availability of funds for the workshop, only nominees from eligible Parties to the Cartagena Protocol will receive financial assistance to cover the cost of travel and a daily subsistence allowance. The workshop will be conducted in Spanish with English-Spanish simultaneous interpretation if needed. Relevant organizations with activities in the Latin American region are also welcome to nominate representatives with practical experience in the subject matter of the workshop, by completing the attached nomination form. Please note that due to space restrictions, nominations by Parties will have priority. Nominations are to be sent to the Executive Secretary via e-mail at secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1-514-288-6588. In order to enable the Secretariat to finalize arrangements for the workshop in a timely manner, it would be appreciated if nominations are sent as soon as possible but no later than 21 June. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support towards the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol National Focal Points of the Latin American region, Cuba and Dominican Republic, and Relevant Organizations, cc: Biosafety Clearing-House National Focal Points of the Latin American region