Notification 2019-096

Dear Madam/Sir, The purpose of this notification is to provide information regarding the composition of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources. The AHTEG was established/extended by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP) at its fourteenth meeting (COP-14, decision 14/20 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-14/cop-14-dec-20-en.pdf)). The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol welcomed, at its third meeting (COP-MOP 3), decision 14/20 of the COP (COP-MOP 3 of the Nagoya Protocol, decision 3/12 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/decisions/cop-13/cop-13-dec-16-en.pdf)). The AHTEG was established to consider any potential implications of the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources on the three objectives of the Convention and particularly the objective of the Nagoya Protocol. The outcomes of the AHTEG are expected to be considered by the Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The latter is requested to make recommendations to COP 15 and COP-MOP 4 of the Nagoya Protocol. Parties to the Nagoya Protocol, other governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations and stakeholders were invited, through notification 2019-053 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2019/ntf-2019-053-abs-en.pdf) issued on 12 June 2019, to nominate experts to the AHTEG on Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources. In response to the invitation, a total of 44 nominations were received from Parties, with more than 5 nominations from each region except for Central and Eastern Europe, from which only three nominations were received. In addition, 25 nominations were received from organizations and 2 from indigenous people and local communities. The Secretariat selected 37 experts based on their experience with and knowledge on digital sequence information on genetic resources as well as with due regard to regional and gender balance. I am pleased to convey herewith the list of experts as approved by the Bureau who will be invited to participate in the meeting of the AHTEG on Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources to be held from 17 to 20 March 2020 in Montreal, Canada. An invitation letter will be sent to the experts together with relevant information regarding the meeting. Documents for the meeting will be posted in due course on the Secretariat’s website. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, international organizations, relevant stakeholders