Notification 2025-064

Dear Sir or Madam, 

I am pleased to invite Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations and initiatives to nominate scientific and technical experts to serve on the informal advisory group for ecologically or biologically significant marine areas (EBSAs). 

The informal advisory group was established in response to a request from the Conference of the Parties in decision XIII/12 and its term has since been extended by the Conference of the Parties through subsequent decisions (most recently through decision 16/16). The terms of reference for the informal advisory group were provided in annex III of decision XIII/12. They were amended to include additional tasks through decision 14/9 (annex III) and amended again in response to a request from the Conference of the Parties in decision 16/16. The terms of reference of the informal advisory group are available here.

Based on nominations submitted in response to this notification, the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, will select experts for the informal advisory group on EBSAs, using the following criteria and the need to ensure equitable geographical distribution and gender balance:  

(a) Significant scientific knowledge and experience in the application of the EBSA criteria, including experience demonstrated during the CBD regional workshops to facilitate the description of EBSAs, and knowledge and experience in the application of other relevant compatible and complementary nationally and intergovernmentally agreed scientific criteria; 

(b) Significant scientific knowledge and experience related to developing and applying biogeographic classification systems in marine and coastal areas; 

(c) Significant knowledge and experience in the use of EBSA information to inform research, planning and management; and

(d) Any other knowledge and experience relevant to the areas of work specified in the terms of reference for the informal advisory group (annex III of decision XIII/12 and annex III of decision 14/9), as well as in decision 16/16.

The informal advisory group will work through different modalities, including e-mail communications, virtual meetings and periodic in-person meetings, particularly in conjunction with other meetings.

Nominations should be in the form of a signed official letter, containing the name and full contact information of the nominee. The nominations should also include the curriculum vitae (CV) clearly indicating the areas of expertise and experience of the nominee, considering the above-mentioned criteria. The nomination letter and CV should be addressed to the Executive Secretary and sent by e-mail (secretariat@cbd.int) as soon as possible but no later than 13 June 2025. In line with decision 14/33, nominees are also required to complete and return the interest disclosure form, available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/forms/conflict-interest-form-en.pdf. 

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