Notification 2025-153

Dear Sir or Madam, 

I am pleased to advise Parties and observers that the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Office for West Asia  and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, will be convening a sub-regional capacity-building workshop on Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework for countries in the Middle East and North Africa, from 29 March to 1 April 2026 in Amman, Jordan.

The workshop is being convened in response to COP decisions 15/4, 15/7, 15/8, 14/8, and XIII/23, and is made possible through the generous financial support of the Kingdom of Norway, the IUCN Regional Office for West Asia and the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.

The purpose of the workshop is to support Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth and other stakeholders from Middle East and North African countries to achieve their commitments under Target 3 and related targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to encourage the development of national priority actions that will facilitate effective implementation of Target 3. The workshop will focus on the quantitative and qualitative elements of Target 3 and will serve as a platform for a dialogue on status, gaps, challenges and opportunities available to enhance progress towards the achievement of the target. The workshop will also provide an opportunity for countries to learn from each other and from others about the activities and tools developed to support implementation and achievement of Target 3. 

Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, youth and relevant organizations are therefore invited to nominate one representative to attend this workshop. It is advised that the nominee be an officer or expert who is leading or supporting the implementation of Target 3 at the national level. 

Nominations should be submitted in the form of an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, signed by the national focal point or head of organization, indicating the name and full contact details of the nominee, and accompanied by a duly completed nomination form (see annex to the present notification) describing relevant expertise and experience of the nominee.  Nominations should be sent to secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible and no later than 22 January 2026.

Participants eligible for funding will be provided with air travel and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for incidental costs according to UN rules. Details concerning DSA for participation in the workshop will be communicated to funded delegates separately. Information and documents relevant to the workshop will be made available in due course. The workshop will be conducted in English and transalted into Arabic. 

I look forward to receiving nominations for the workshop at the earliest opportunity.

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

(Signed) Astrid Schomaker

Executive Secretary

Enclosure: Annex