Notification 2023-125

Dear Madam/Sir, We are pleased to advise that the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Government of Fiji as the host country, will be convening a sub-regional Dialogue on NBSAPs for the Pacific countries from 18 to 21 March 2024 in Nadi, Fiji. In addition, a workshop on Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework will be held from 22 to 23 March 2024, and followed by the UNEP Technical Workshop on the GEF Early Action Support Project from 25 to 26 March 2024 in the same venue. This NBSAP Dialogue is part of a series of regional and sub-regional dialogues being organized by the Secretariat in 2023 and 2024 to facilitate the sharing of experiences and mutual learning related to the updating and revision of NBSAPs, including national targets, in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), as requested in decision 15/6. The dialogues are being convened with the generous financial support of the Government of Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the European Union. Additional support to this NBSAP Dialogue is provided through the European Union Capacity-building project related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements in African, Caribbean and Pacific States Phase 3 (ACP MEAs 3) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The NBSAP Dialogue will include sessions on experiences and lessons learned in revising or updating NBSAPs, including national target revision or setting, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, the integration of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols and relevant multilateral environmental agreements into the NBSAP and development of a national monitoring plan for the NBSAP. The Dialogue will also include dedicated in-depth discussions in breakout groups on (i) capacity-building and development and (ii) national biodiversity financing. The outcomes of the dialogue can serve as input in further piloting of an open-ended forum for voluntary country review of implementation under the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, also requested in decision 15/6. The Workshop on Target 3 will provide technical support to the development and implementation of Target 3 and associated national targets. The UNEP Technical Workshop on the GEF Early Action Support Project will provide technical support for the implementation of the four components of the project, including addressing questions that countries in the region may have about the implementation of the project. We therefore invite each Party of the Pacific Countries to nominate two or three representatives to attend these meetings. It is advised that one of the nominees should be the national focal point for the Convention or a government official who is responsible for leading the work on revising and updating the NBSAP, and another should be an officer or expert who is directly involved in supporting the NBSAP updating/revising process and in the development of means of implementation such as capacity building and development and financing. The third nominee, if needed, should be an officer or expert who is working on issues related to Target 3. It is expected that the two or three nominees will participate in both the NBSAP Dialogue and the Workshop on Target 3. Any or all of the nominees are also invited to attend the UNEP Technical Workshop on the GEF Early Action Support project. In submitting nominations, Parties should give consideration to the full range of national stakeholders, including the focal points of the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols. Nomination letters should be signed by the national focal point of the Convention or the Head of the competent authority. Information on nominees should be submitted through the nomination form annexed to the notification, describing relevant expertise and experience of the nominees. The number of participants is limited. The selection of experts invited to attend will be done to ensure a balanced participation in the breakout groups and the workshops, taking into account relevant expertise as well as gender and geographic representation. The form, including full contact details, should be sent to secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible and no later than 22 December 2023. Participants eligible for funding will be provided with air travel, accommodation, meals and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) for incidental costs according to UN rules. Information concerning DSA for participation in the UNEP Technical Workshop on the GEF Early Action Support Project will be communicated with participating countries separately. Information and documents relevant to the dialogue and the workshops will be made available in due course. The NBSAP Dialogue and both workshops will be conducted in English only. To contribute to the Dialogue and the Workshop on Target 3, the Secretariat may also invite a limited number of representatives of United Nations agencies, organizations that represent indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth, or other stakeholders, that are relevant to the GBF implementation in the region. We look forward to receiving nominations from you at the earliest opportunity. Please accept, Sir, Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: National focal points for CBD and its Protocols of the following countries: Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu