Notification 2009-034

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision IX/3, para 3 on the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) decided to consider the further development and implementation of the Strategy beyond 2010, taking into account current and emerging environmental challenges on plant diversity, including an update of the current targets within the broader context of and consistent with the new Strategic Plan beyond 2010, taking into account national priorities and circumstances, capacities and differences in plant diversity between countries. In paragraph 4 of the same decision, the COP requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to provide, prior to its tenth meeting, proposals for a consolidated update of the GSPC, taking into account the Plant Conservation Report, the third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, the fourth national reports and additional inputs from the Global Partnership for Plant Conservation and other relevant organizations. To facilitate the preparation of the proposal to update the GSPC, the Executive Secretary has prepared an online consultation to gather inputs for consideration at the upcoming Liaison Group Meeting of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation to be held 26 to 28 May 2009 in Dublin, Ireland. The online consultation will be open from 1 to 30 April 2009 and is accessible at http://www.cbd.int/gspc/survey . I wish to invite Parties, other governments, relevant organizations, and indigenous and local communities, to kindly participate in this online consultation. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA and GSPC Focal Points, Other governments, relevant organizations, and Indigenous and local communities