Notification 2024-025

Dear Sir or Madam,

Further to notification 2024-012, dated 2 February 2024, I have the pleasure to provide more details regarding the informal discussions on digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources to be held on 19 May 2024, immediately after the twenty-sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 26), and prior to the fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI 4), in Nairobi, Kenya.

The objective of the informal discussions as set by the Co-Chairs of the Committee of the Whole of the Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, Ms. Mphatso Kalemba (Malawi) and Mr. William Lockhart (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), is to provide an update on the intersessional work on DSI, including the Open-ended Informal Advisory Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of DSI. 

Delegates are invited to use this opportunity for an informal exchange with the view to support the further development of modalities to operationalize the multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, to be finalized at the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (decision 15/9). The informal discussions will take place on 19 May 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in room CR1. 

Participation in this informal session is open to all Parties and observers registered for SBSTTA 26 and SBI 4. In order to ensure that all Parties and stakeholders can be represented within the limits of the space allocated, we kindly request that Parties limit the number of participants to two delegates. A limited number of seats will also be reserved for observer organizations. Those who wish to participate in the informal session should inform the Secretariat via a letter signed by the National Focal Point or the head of the organization, as appropriate, to be sent by e-mail to: secretariat@cbd.int, as soon as possible, but no later than 15 April 2024, to allow enough time for necessary logistics and venue preparation. Kindly note that the workshop will be held in English only and no translation will be provided.

The financial support of delegates who are being funded by the Secretariat to participate in SBSTTA 26 and/or SBI 4 will also include participation in this informal session, noting that only one delegate per country will be funded, subject to the availability of funds. Parties are kindly reminded that the deadline to submit requests via official letter for financial support for SBSTTA 26 and SBI 4 meetings is 15 March 2024. As appropriate, when sending nominations, please specify the name of the nominee to participate in the informal session.

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

(Signed) David Cooper

Acting Executive Secretary