Notification 2018-062

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to invite Parties, other Governments and relevant regional organizations and initiatives from countries in the northern Africa and the Mediterranean to participate in the Sustainable Ocean Initiative (SOI) Capacity building Workshop to be held from 15 to 19 October 2018, in Tangier, Morocco. The workshop is being convened by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and hosted by the Government of Morocco. It is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development, Waters and Forests of Morocco, the Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP, the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and other relevant regional and international organizations and initiatives. The organization of this workshop is being financially supported by the Government of Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund, and the Government of France, through the French Agency for Biodiversity (Agence Franҫaise pour la Biodiversité). The workshop seeks to enhance the capacity of countries in the region to conserve and sustainably use marine and coastal biodiversity in order to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals. It will focus on experiences and approaches in the region to support integrated marine and coastal area management toward achieving Aichi Biodiversity Targets, in particular Targets 6, 10 and 11, in a holistic manner, including through the use of scientific and technical tools such as the description of ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs), environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments, and marine spatial planning. It also aims to facilitate cross-sectoral, multi-agency scientific, technical and financial partnerships to support the effective implementation of various management tools and approaches. The Sustainable Ocean Initiative is a global platform that aims to build partnerships and enhance capacity to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets in marine and coastal areas. Its implementation is coordinated by the CBD Secretariat in collaboration with various SOI partners. SOI was created to respond to the urgent need for training and capacity-building of developing country Parties with regard to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and achievement of its Aichi Biodiversity Targets in marine and coastal areas, pursuant to decisions X/29, XI/17, XI/18, XII/22 and XII/23 of the Conference of the Parties to the CBD. Further details about SOI activities can be found in the SOI Action Plan for 2015-2020 (available at: http://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/mar/soiom-2014-02/official/soiom-2014-02-actionplan-en.pdf) and the SOI website (https://www.cbd.int/soi). Submission of nominations from Governments Parties from the region are invited to nominate two experts to participate in this workshop. Specifically, nominations should include one expert involved in marine biodiversity conservation, such as marine protected areas or other area-based conservation measures, and one expert involved in sustainable fisheries management. The Secretariat will be in a position to finance the participation of two experts from each Party eligible for funding. Nominations must include: (i) an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, signed by the national focal point, indicating the name and full contact details of the nominees; (ii) the attached completed nomination form; and (iii) the curriculum vitae of the nominees, clearly indicating their areas of expertise and experience. Submission of nominations from relevant organizations Relevant regional organizations and initiatives are invited to nominate one expert to participate in this workshop. The head of the organization/initiative should provide the name and contact details of their nominee via an official signed letter addressed to the Executive Secretary. Nominations must include: (i) the attached completed nomination form; and (ii) the curriculum vitae of the nominee, clearly indicating the areas of expertise and experience. All nominations must be received as soon as possible but no later than 17 August 2018 (by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int; or by fax to +1 (514) 288-6588). Workshop materials will be forwarded to the selected experts and posted on the CBD website in due course. The workshop will be conducted in English and French. I thank you for your cooperation in this matter and for your continued support for the work of the Convention. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Marine and Coastal Biodiversity National Focal Points and SBSTTA Focal Points in the northern Africa and the Mediterranean region: Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, the European Union, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey; indigenous peoples and local communities; Mediterranean Action Plan/UNEP; General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean; ACCOBAMS; MedPAN, and other relevant global or regional organizations/initiatives