Notification 2020-012

Dear Madam/Sir, The WHO Secretariat is conducting a survey and would like to invite the national focal points of the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Nagoya Protocol, or other appropriate persons identified by the national focal points, to participate in the survey. The survey is intended to collect information on: a) current pathogen-sharing practices and arrangements; and b) implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures. The survey will also gather perspectives on potential public health outcomes and other implications, as requested by Member States in the decision they took at the 72nd World Health Assembly (decision WHA72(13) (http://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72(13)-en.pdf), attached herewith). It is designed to collect both quantitative (e.g. number of countries with access and benefit-sharing legislation) and qualitative (e.g. experience of implementing ABS) data. The survey involves multiple choice and written responses to key questions. We would like to encourage all Parties to the CBD to participate in this important survey, which is available online in English, French and Spanish at the following webpage: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2019/12/20/default-calendar/survey-on-wha72(13)-public-health-implications-of-the-nagoya-protocol until 28 February 2020. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of our highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, ABS National Focal Points; cc: SBSTTA National Focal Points, CPB National Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, international organizations, relevant stakeholders