Notification 2012-105

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision X/20, the Conference of the Parties (COP) requested the Executive Secretary “to continue collaboration with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), including on a review of the application of the Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting” (decision VII/14, annex). Tourism has also been consistently considered in COP decisions regarding business and biodiversity, protected areas and resource mobilization (as an innovative market-based financing mechanism), poverty eradication and biodiversity (as an effective and biodiversity-friendly livelihood alternative, particularly for indigenous and local communities in sensitive areas), and the impact of invasive alien species (as a critical player in control and eradication), and will be discussed at COP 11 under agenda item 5.2 (Cooperation with other Organizations, Conventions and initiatives). For the first time, tourism was also considered in the outcomes of Rio + 20 (paragraphs 130-131 of the final document). Side events and publications are planned for COP 11 with UNWTO and other partners, and additional surveys are planned by partners on specific issues. In this context, for the production of COP 11 pre-session documentation, I would like to ask you to communicate, to the Secretariat: • relevant examples of policies, programmes and practices making use of the CBD Guidelines on Biodiversity and Tourism Development, and lessons learned in their promotion; • views and experiences as to how biodiversity and tourism stakeholders can further cooperate in achieving the Aichi targets; • experiences, potentials, limitations and lessons learned in promoting tourism concessions in protected areas. Please note that UNWTO is sending its member States (through their Ministries of Tourism) a Note Verbale on the same subject. A coordinated response would therefore be appreciated. Please send your contributions by email, as a word document attachment to secretariat@cbd.int, at your earliest convenience, but no later than 10 August 2012. Any contributions to the side events and publications will also be welcome. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points