Notification 2016-121
“Civil Society and Youth Alliances for Mainstreaming Biodiversity to Well-being” Forum to be held from 28 to 30 November 2016, prior to the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity - Cancun, Mexico
Dear Madam/Sir, I am pleased to inform you that a civil society and youth forum, “Civil Society and Youth Alliances for Mainstreaming Biodiversity to Well-being”, is being convened prior to the thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 13), from 28 to 30 November 2016, at the International Convention Center in Cancun, Mexico. The forum is jointly organized by the Government of Mexico, through the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and the Reforestamos México, A.C., in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Convention. The forum will offer an opportunity for representatives of civil society and youth to address the theme of COP 13, “Mainstreaming Biodiversity for Well-being”, progress made on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The objectives of the forum are: to strengthen the capacities of civil society and youth to contribute to the implementation of the Convention and to participate in CBD-related processes; to promote alliances for the participation of civil society and youth in actions that contribute to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the SDGs; and to formulate cooperation and proposals to integrate biodiversity into the agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism sectors, as well as in relation to urban topics. The forum will include conferences, expert panels and roundtable discussions on experiences related to biodiversity mainstreaming, capacity-building workshops and poster exhibitions, among other activities. The opening session, expert panels and closing session will bring civil society and youth representatives together in plenary, and parallel streams of activities for civil society and youth will also be convened. The preliminary agenda and additional information on the forum are available at the following webpage: http://cop13.mx/en/civil-society-forum. Civil society and youth representatives are invited to register as soon as possible and no later than 10 November 2016 through the above webpage or by contacting the organizers at the following e-mail address: civil.society-youth@cop13.mx. Please note that participation in the forum will be limited due to room capacity. Therefore, priority will be given to civil society and youth representatives based on their experience, background and potential contribution to the discussions. I encourage civil society and youth organizations to participate in the forum and to share this information with their members. I would be grateful if national focal points would share this information with civil society and youth organizations through appropriate channels. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.
Executive Secretary
To: CBD Primary National Focal Points, international and non-governmental organizations, and relevant organizations