Notification 2020-095

Dear Madam/Sir, As you are aware, we are approaching the end of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011 2020. Similarly, we are nearing the end of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Strategic Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for the period 2011-2020, both of which were adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan. As noted in the fifth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, despite the actions taken by Governments and stakeholders, biodiversity continues to decline globally, and we are not on track to reach the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity. Further, while there has been some progress towards the attainment of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets contained in the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, none of the targets has been fully met nor are they on track to be fully met by the year end. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society and stakeholders were scheduled to meet in October this year in Kunming, China, to consider and adopt a post-2020 global biodiversity framework. To this end, for more than two years, Governments and stakeholders have been actively participating in intensive consultations and negotiations to develop an ambitious and transformative follow-up to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Similar consultations have taken place for the development of an implementation plan for the Cartagena Protocol, which was also set to be adopted at the same time. However, as with many things this year, the pandemic has forced a realignment of our plans. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a significant human, financial and institutional toll around the world. However, despite this challenging period and the delays encountered in the development of a follow-up to the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and to the Strategic Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, I trust that all will agree that we must continue to address the ongoing decline in biodiversity. I, therefore, urge all Parties and stakeholders to make use of the extra time before the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to increase efforts towards achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Indeed, as evidenced by the pandemic, now more than ever before, we need to recommit and redouble our efforts towards the objectives of the Convention and its Protocols. Slowing, halting and ultimately reversing the loss of biodiversity will require the active engagement of all sectors of society and, to this end, I strongly urge everyone to work together to this common purpose. We need to build on the momentum we have collectively built over the last decade and scale up our efforts to put the world on a path towards the 2050 Vision we all committed to ten years ago. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, Cartagena Protocol Focal Points, ABS Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations