Notification 2015-031

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision VII/24, the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established an informal advisory committee (IAC) to review, monitor and provide advice on the Programme of Work for Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA). Since its establishment, the CEPA-IAC has over the years met at the margins of both the meetings of the COP and the meetings of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice. In light of the above, I am pleased to announce that the CBD Secretariat is re-convening the CEPA-IAC and kindly requests Parties, other relevant organizations and stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, to nominate one expert as soon as possible but no later than 15 April 2015. Relevant areas of expertise may include but are not limited to the following: • Education for Sustainable Development; • Environmental Education; • Biodiversity Education; • Internet and Communication Technologies; • Broadcast and Print Media; • Social Media; • Social Marketing; • Environmental and Conservation Psychology and behavior change; and • Public Opinion Research and Survey methodologies. The nomination should be in the form of an official letter addressed to the CBD Executive Secretary and signed by the CBD National Focal Point or senior government official, together with the curriculum vitae. The letter should indicate the full contact information of the nominee, including an e mail address and should be submitted to the Secretariat by e-mail (secretariat@cbd.int) or by fax (+1 514 288 6588) no later than 15 April 2015. The members of the CEPA-IAC will be selected on the basis of their relevant expertise, as well as geographical representation and gender balance. Participation to CEPA–IAC meetings is non-remunerated. Members are recruited for terms of two years, with a possibility of renewal. Once members are selected to the CEPA-IAC, their official role will be to provide advice and recommendations on implementation of the Programme of work for CEPA, according to the guidelines established by decisions of the COP. In the upcoming biennium, such advice may refer inter alia to the following topics: • Implementation of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, with a focus on Target 1; • United Nations Decade on Biodiversity; • Media partnerships; • Strategic communication; • Environmental Education and Education for Sustainable Development; and • Environmental Psychology and behaviour change methodologies. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, relevant organizations, and indigenous peoples and local communities