Notification 2021-058

Dear Madam/Sir, Further to notification 2021-019 (https://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2021/ntf-2021-019-cop15-en.pdf) issued on 18 March 2021 on the Fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15), Tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CP-MOP 10), and Fourth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (NP-MOP 4) (the “Meetings” hereinafter), I am pleased to provide Parties and observers with an update on the preparations for these Meetings. After extensive consultations by the Secretariat with the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, as host of the Meetings, and with the view to provide political momentum for the preparations of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, a decision has been made to convene the above-referenced Meetings in two parts. The first part of the Meetings will take place in a virtual format from 11 to 15 October 2021 with limited onsite presence in Kunming of accredited delegates from embassies and organizations already located and based in China. The second part will reconvene in a face-to-face meeting in Kunming, China from 25 April to 8 May 2022. The first part will include the opening of the Meetings and will address agenda items that have been identified by the Bureau as essential for the continuation of the operations of the Convention and the Protocols. There will also be a High Level Segment. The second and resumed part would address the remaining agenda items of the Meetings, including the finalization and adoption of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework. The Secretariat has conducted thorough review of the implications of convening the Meetings in two parts and found no legal, procedural or budgetary obstacles. The convening of the Meetings in two parts as outlined above will allow time for the completion of the preparatory negotiations on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and on other substantive matters through resumed sessions of the meetings of SBSTTA 24, SBI 3 and the further meeting of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, tentatively planned to take place concurrently, in person in January 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland. Further information in this regard will be provided in due course. The provisional agendas for the Meetings, as approved by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties, are accessible at: https://www.cbd.int/meetings/COP-15, https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-MOP-10, https://www.cbd.int/meetings/NP-MOP-04. The Secretariat is currently preparing a note on the Meetings to provide further information on the agenda items to be covered and precise modalities for the Meetings. This and other documentation and relevant information will be made available on these webpages once finalized. Registration For the first part of the Meetings, in order to expedite the pre-registration of participants and in case of any delay in obtaining and submitting credentials by representatives of Parties (see below), Governments could submit the designation of their representatives to attend the Meetings through an official letter of nomination addressed to the Executive Secretary, providing the names and contact details of their delegation, as well as the title of the meeting or meetings they wish to attend. The letter should be submitted by e-mail to: secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1 514-288-6588, as soon as possible and preferably by 1 October 2021. In accordance with rules 6 and 7 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties, the Meetings are open to organizations and agencies, whether governmental or non-governmental, qualified in fields relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, which have informed the Secretariat of their wish to be represented at the Meetings. Registration of representatives from these organizations is subject to the receipt of an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, providing the names and contact details of their delegation, as well as the title of the meeting or meetings they wish to attend. The letter should be submitted to the Secretariat by e-mail to: secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1 514-288-6588, as soon as possible and preferably by 1 October 2021. Taking into account nominations received for the Meetings as per notification 2020-025 (http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2020/ntf-2020-025-cop15-en.docx), issued on 2 March 2020, Parties, other Governments and observers who have already provided the Secretariat with a letter of nomination for these Meetings do not need to re-submit a letter unless there are changes to the composition of their delegation. Information regarding online and onsite registration for the Meetings will be provided in due course. Early registration is encouraged. Credentials (Parties) I wish to remind Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Cartagena Protocol and the Nagoya Protocol that, in accordance with rule 18 of the Rules of Procedure for meetings of the Conference of the Parties, credentials of representatives and the names of alternate representatives and advisers must be submitted to the Secretariat no later than 24 hours after the opening of the Meetings (i.e. 11 October 2021) to confirm that the delegates have been duly appointed, authorized and empowered to represent their country at the Meetings. Credentials must be signed by the Head of State or Government or by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, except in the case of regional economic integration organizations, in which case it should be signed by the competent authority of that organization. Credentials shall be delivered in their original form. If prevented from delivering the original credentials due to exceptional circumstances, they should be delivered as soon as feasible. All valid credentials received by the Secretariat during the first part of the Meetings in October will be maintained and used for the purpose of part two of the Meetings unless withdrawn or a change of nominees is made by the Parties concerned. Some representatives of Parties might face difficulties in obtaining credentials in a timely manner. I, therefore, kindly request Parties to initiate national processes well in advance. For your convenience, sample formats of appropriate credentials are available here (https://www.cbd.int/doc/meetings/cop/cop-15/cop-credentials-template-en.docx) and on the Meetings webpage. High-level segment I also wish to inform you that the People’s Republic of China, in consultation with the Secretariat, has decided to convene a virtual High Level Segment on 12 and 13 October 2021 in order to provide political momentum for the preparations of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. It is expected that a physical High-Level Segment will also take place during part two of the Meetings next year. Further information on the organization and modalities of this important high-level event will be made available in due course. The fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention and the concurrent meetings of the Parties to the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols, including the adoption of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, will be a unique and historic event expected to play a significant role in building resilience and galvanizing international cooperation in the face of growing environmental, health and development challenges. The Secretariat remains committed to ensuring the successful and timely preparation of COP 15 and the concurrent meetings of the Parties to the Protocols. I also would like to reassure all Parties and the CBD community that we will continue to monitor further developments, in light of the ongoing uncertainties caused by the pandemic, and to keep all updated of any changes and adjustments that may become necessary. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

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