Notification 2008-136

Dear Madam/Sir, Decision IX/13 E, paragraph 7 on Article 8(j) and related provisions, requested the Executive Secretary to convene, subject to the availability of financial resources, further regional and sub-regional workshops on community-friendly communication tools on traditional knowledge related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The series on “Indigenous Communities, Tourism and Biodiversity: New Information and Web-based Technologies” began in November 2007 with the Arctic Region workshop in Quebec, Canada. The report is available at: https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/tour/wstouridg-01/official/wstouridg-01-02-en.doc As per Notification 2008-088 (Ref.: SCBD/SEL/OH/cr/64300) dated 22 July 2008, and thanks to the generous financial contribution of the government of Spain, I am pleased to inform Parties of the selection of representatives of indigenous and local communities to receive financial assistance in order to participate in the second workshop, with a focus on islands in the Pacific region. Invitations to nominate participants in the workshop were sent to countries of the Pacific region. Funding has been allocated to the participants listed in Annex 1 according to the following criteria:  Participants are indigenous leaders in tourism in the region as entrepreneurs, policymakers or advisors, and active in existing and functioning associations of indigenous people and tourism operators;  The tourism products they manage include areas with significant biodiversity (parks, community or private protected areas);  Participants, or their constituents or representatives, should have access to internet and worldwide web-based tools for information, marketing, and networking;  Participants can reproduce and disseminate the knowledge after the workshop;  Geographical and gender balance, cost of transportation and significance of indigenous tourism in each area were also used as additional criteria. Funded participants will be contacted directly by the Secretariat with regards to travel arrangements. Further information about the workshop, including the provisional agenda, are available on the CBD web site at the following address: http://www.cbd.int/doc/?meeting=WSTOURIDG-02. Based on the experience of the first and second workshops, and pending the availability of funds, additional workshops will be organized in other regions and ecosystems. I look forward to hearing about your interest in contributing to this global initiative and upcoming workshops. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration. Annex 1 List of Beneficiaries of CBD funding for the Indigenous Communities, Tourism and Biodiversity Workshop Series: New Information and Web-based Technologies Pacific Islands Workshop 3-5 November 2008 - Apia, Samoa Cook Island Mr. Ian Karika Ms. Te Tika Mataiapo - Ms. Dorice Reid Federated State of Micronesia Mr. John Waayan Kawaimapuna Fillmed Mr. Vincent Tafileluw Fiji Islands Mr. Aropiame Cavalevu Dr. Paulo Vanualailai Mr. Viliame Koyam Kiribati Ms. Ereata Benson New Zealand Ms. Melissa Crockett Ms. Te Urutahi Waikerepuru Papua New Guinea Ms. Maxine Nadile Republic of Palau Mr. Billy Takamine Tonga Ms. Kepreen 'Aho Ve'etutu Mr. Taki Hausia Solomon Islands Mr. Dickson Motui Dr. Titet Bero Vanuatu Ms. Alcina Garae Mr. Richard Matanik

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points