Notification 2006-085

Dear Madam/Sir, In accordance with decision VII/31 on the Multi-Year Programme of Work of the Conference of the Parties up to 2010, the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) will carry out an in-depth review of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC) in 2008. In preparation, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) will carry out a review of the GSPC at its twelfth meeting to be held in July 2007. The text of the Strategy can be found at http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/cross-cutting/plant/default.shtml. Full use will be made of relevant information provided through the Third National Reports (Boxes XXIV-XL). It is therefore important that countries that have not submitted their Third National Reports do so as soon as possible. In order to gather adequate and current data on the implementation of the GSPC and its targets, Parties are invited to complete or update, as appropriate, information on implementation of the GSPC, using the same format that was used for the Third National Reports (available at http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/cross-cutting/plant/review.shtml). Parties are also invited to submit additional information on the following matters, providing full details: 1. The development of a national strategy or other response to the GSPC. 2. Nomination of a focal point for the GSPC. 3. The role of the GSPC in leveraging additional resources for plant conservation, sustainable use and benefit sharing in your country. 4. Integration of the GSPC into activities to implement the thematic and cross-cutting programmes of work of the Convention. Parties are invited to submit or update relevant information as soon as possible and no later than 31 December 2006. I thank you very much in advance for your cooperation and support. Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, GSPC Focal Points