Notification 2024-004

Dear Sir or Madam,
I am pleased to share the composition of the Informal Advisory Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources and would like to thank all that sent nominations.

The Informal Advisory Group (IAG) was established at the first meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources (WGDSI-1), convened in November 2023, with the view to invite experts and exchange ideas in an inclusive and informal way on some of the “Elements on which there is a need for further discussion”, which can be found in the annex to the WGDSI-1 report. The co-chairs of this IAG, Ms. Mphatso Kalemba (Malawi) and Mr. William Lockhart (United Kingdom), will report the outcomes of its work to the Working Group at its second meeting, scheduled for August 2024.

In response to the call for nominations to Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and stakeholders (see notification 2023-130 issued on 1 December 2023), 58 Parties and non-Party Governments, as well as 84 various stakeholder groups, sent nominations for representatives. The IAG is open to all Party and non-Party States, and therefore, all those nominated are included. Six individuals representing different socio-cultural regions were selected in consultation with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, and 38 representatives from stakeholder groups from academic and research, databases, business, NGOs, women, youth, civil society, IGOs and others were selected based on pertinence, gender and regional balance. I am, therefore, pleased to announce the composition of the IAG attached herewith.

The IAG will meet online monthly, rotating times in order to accommodate the different time zones. A preparatory meeting will take place on Tuesday, 16 January 2024 at 7:00 a.m. EST, and subsequent meetings will be posted on the CBD calendar of meetings as they are scheduled. Additionally, the presentations made by experts at the preparatory meeting will be posted on the IAG meeting page, pending their approval. Members will receive more detailed information by e-mail.

Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

(Signed) David Cooper
 Acting Executive Secretary