Notification 2019-020

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that UN Women and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity are co-organizing a two-day expert workshop at the United Nations Headquarters, in New York, from 11 to 12 April 2019. The workshop is being convened with financial support from the Government of Canada and UN Women. The workshop aims to bring together expertise on gender and biodiversity issues from civil society, international organizations, the UN system and National Focal Points, in order to identify possible gender elements for consideration in the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The recommendations resulting from this workshop will form the basis of a report to be widely shared with Parties and other stakeholders as input into: i) Official submissions to the process to develop the post-2020 global biodiversity framework; ii) Regional and global consultations and negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework which are taking place during 2019-2020; and iii) The post-2020 discussion paper, which is expected to serve as the primary basis for consideration of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. The outputs from the workshop may also serve as a valuable resource in the review of the implementation of the 2015-2020 Gender Plan of Action, as well as input to the development of the fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook and the second Local Biodiversity Outlook. By this notification, I am pleased to invite Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations, to nominate representatives involved in the implementation of the Convention with expertise in gender and biodiversity, to participate in this workshop. Due to financial restraints, only a limited number of experts will be selected from each region. Nominees must have demonstrated knowledge, expertise and experience related to gender and biodiversity issues, in order to be considered eligible to participate. The selection of experts will be carried out using the criteria mentioned below, taking into account also geographical balance. Nominees who take part in this workshop will be expected to contribute their experience and understanding of key issues, needs, actions, opportunities and challenges for gender mainstreaming in biodiversity policy and programming. The Secretariat encourages the nomination of experts who meet the following criteria: (i) Working knowledge of the Convention on Biological Diversity; (ii) A clear responsibility within a national-level institution/agency, or relevant entity related to biodiversity conservation or environmental management; (iii) Experience, knowledge and expertise on gender mainstreaming in the context of national and/or regional biodiversity or environmental policy or programming; (iv) Ability to contribute actively to working sessions on assessing specific needs, actions and desired outcomes for gender-responsive biodiversity conservation and sustainable use given their strategic knowledge and practical experiences; and (v) Availability to support and follow-up on the outcomes of the workshop, including the ability to share and promote the workshop recommendations in consultations and negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. National Focal Points and organizations should provide the name and full contact details of their nominees via a letter addressed to the Executive Secretary and signed by the National Focal Point or the Executive Officer of their organization. Nominations must also be accompanied by a curriculum vitae demonstrating expertise in the subject matter of the expert workshop, and by the attached nomination form duly completed. The Secretariat will cover the costs of travel tickets (economy class airfare or alternative transit fare) and accommodation and subsistence (up to a maximum of four nights) for a limited number of experts from developing countries. Nominations should be forwarded, as soon as possible, but no later than 28 February 2019 (scanned and attached to an e-mail addressed to secretariat@cbd.int, or faxed to +1 (514) 288-6588). The workshop will be conducted in English. Thank you in advance for your cooperation 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, Cartagena Protocol National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, relevant organizations