Notification 2010-101

Dear Madam/Sir, The secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in consultation with the secretariats of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will convene the Rio Conventions’ Ecosystems and Climate Change Pavilion at CBD COP 10 (18-29 October 2010) in Nagoya, Japan. The Pavilion will also be held during the UNFCCC COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico (29 November – 10 December 2010). It is also intended that the Pavilion be held in 2011 at the UNCCD COP 10 in the Republic of Korea and at the UNFCCC COP 17 in South Africa. The momentum of this outreach initiative will also be extended to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil in 2012 (Rio +20). Launched during the International Year of Biodiversity, the Pavilion will provide opportunities for Parties and organisations to highlight activities linking biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially at national and sub-national levels. The Pavilion contributes to enhanced awareness-raising, information sharing and outreach in the framework of the Rio Conventions (CBD COP Decision IX/16) and to enhancing collaboration between the Rio Conventions (UN General Assembly Resolution 64/203 of 14 December 2009). Running in parallel with the side event programmes of the respective COPs, the Pavilion will bring together a high level event, lecture series, web events and thematic displays. Activities will be designed around cross-cutting issues of relevance to the three Rio Conventions such as forest - and adaptation - related matters. In particular, topics could include synergies in a range of ecosystems, including protected areas, marine, coastal and island ecosystems, drylands and wetlands. The Pavilion will also provide opportunities to highlight a number of cross-cutting issues, relevant to the Millennium Development Goals, including, for example: - linking biodiversity, climate change and sustainable land management in poverty alleviation: the role of ecosystem-based approaches; - economics of biodiversity and ecosystem services in climate change management; - indigenous people’s benefits and livelihoods, e.g. opportunities, role of traditional knowledge and rights of indigenous and local communities; and - gender perspectives in linking biodiversity, climate change and sustainable land management. Parties and organizations are invited to submit proposals on presentations for the lecture series that demonstrate activities linking biodiversity conservation, ecosystem management, including sustainable land management, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. These proposals will be reviewed by the CBD secretariat in consultation with the UNCCD and UNFCCC secretariats. Presentations that highlight the activities of more than one Party or organization are encouraged. Submissions should include the following: - The name and email address of the contact officer; - The name and description of the presentation (maximum 150 words); - Information on the agency and partners who are implementing the activity to be highlighted during the event; - Links to any online resources that describe the activities; and - Audio visual requirements. Furthermore, participants in thematic days will be able to exhibit some materials (e.g. a poster, printed materials and CD-ROMs) at the thematic information booth that is part of the Pavilion on the day of their event only – as such, please include a description of material to be exhibited. Note that exhibitors are responsible for all matters and costs relating to the shipping of their own materials, including all customs arrangements and provisions for any return shipments. Please submit your proposal to showcase an activity in the Pavilion at the CBD COP 10, the UNCCD COP 10 (Indication of interest only) and the UNFCCC COP 16 to the CBD secretariat at your earliest convenience, but no later than 20 June 2010. Kindly submit your proposal to secretariat@cbd.int and include in the subject line “Rio Conventions’ Ecosystems and Climate Change Pavilion”. CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC National Focal Points are encouraged to liaise in the preparation of their country’s request. Please note that in the event a high number of proposals are submitted, it is possible that not all who express interest will be invited to present. Similar notifications will be sent by the UNCCD and UNFCCC to their respective focal points, the outcome of which will be considered by the three secretariats. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points and International Organizations