Notification 2023-082

Dear Madam/Sir, The Secretariat would like to notify Parties that it has been informed by the Republic of Türkiye of Türkiye’s decision to withdraw from hosting and presiding over the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity due to a force majeure situation created by the three destructive earthquakes that occurred in February 2023. The Government of Türkiye has expressed its regrets that it had to take this decision. The Secretariat has reiterated its condolences to the Government of Türkiye for the losses and conveyed its solidarity in facing the difficult decision taken by the Government in response to the current situation. The Bureau of the Conference of the Parties has considered this matter at its meeting held on 31 July 2023 and requested the Secretariat to extend an invitation to Parties for hosting the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and the concurrent meetings of the Parties to the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols, starting with Parties within the Western European and Others Group. Considering the current calendar of international meetings in 2024, the Bureau proposes to keep the same dates previously published (21 October to 1 November 2024) or to consider alternative dates that are in proximity to these dates. The Secretariat is therefore kindly inviting interested Parties to express their interest to host the meetings as soon as possible to allow the Secretariat to undertake the necessary consultations and preparations in time. Please note that any expression of interest offering to host the meetings should be submitted in the form of a formal letter signed by the appropriate official of your Government. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: CBD national focal points, Cartagena Protocol focal Points, ABS focal points