Notification 2019-051

Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that a global capacity-building workshop on monitoring the utilization of genetic resources under the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), will be held from 30 September to 2 October 2019, in Bonn, Germany. The workshop is organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and hosted by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of Germany with the collaboration of the ABS Capacity-Development Initiative and the United Nations Development Programme, and through the generous financial support provided by the Government of Japan, the European Union and the Government of Germany. The workshop will provide an opportunity to raise awareness, build capacity and share practical experiences regarding the implementation of the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol related to monitoring the utilization of genetic resources with a view to overcome the practical challenges of implementation as Parties build and improve their national ABS systems. The main objective of the workshop is to support Parties in operationalizing the monitoring system established under the Protocol. In particular, it will focus on: • The importance of the ABS Clearing-House and how information sharing plays a key role in the implementation of the Protocol; • The overall system for monitoring the utilization of genetic resources through the ABS Clearing-House; • The importance of granting permits at the time of access and publishing them as internationally recognized certificates of compliance in the ABS Clearing-House; • The concept of checkpoints under the Nagoya Protocol, their functions, and options for their designation; • The concept of the checkpoint communiqué, how it is issued and how it supports monitoring utilization; and • The development of a national road map to operationalize the system to monitor the utilization of genetic resources. Nominations should be submitted in the form of an official letter signed by the ABS National Focal Point indicating the name(s), together with the completed nomination form (attached) and a curriculum vitae indicating the nominees’ relevant experience and expertise. The nominations should be sent to secretariat@cbd.int or faxed to + 1 514 288 6588 at your earliest convenience but not later than 24 June 2019. Participants will be selected among nominees based on relevant expertise and experience in operationalizing the monitoring system established under the Protocol, taking into account gender balance and equitable geographical representation. The selected nominees from eligible countries will receive financing from the Secretariat to facilitate their participation in the workshop. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: ABS National Focal Points