Notification 2023-059

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision CP-10/10, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) decided to establish an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Risk Assessment (AHTEG) to: (a) develop additional voluntary guidance materials for conducting case-by-case risk assessments of living modified organisms containing engineered gene drives, in accordance with Annex III to the Protocol, with a specific focus on engineered gene drive mosquitos, and (b) prepare a list of prioritized topics on which further guidance materials on risk assessment may be needed according to the criteria in decision CP-9/13, annex I, based on information submitted by Parties, as per paragraph 8 of decision CP-10/10. Accordingly, I am pleased to invite Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations to nominate experts to the AHTEG with a specific scientific and technical expertise on organisms containing engineered gene drives and their potential effects on biodiversity, as well as on issues relevant to the mandate of the AHTEG. Cartagena Protocol national focal points or Heads of organizations, as appropriate, are kindly requested to submit nominations of experts, in the form of an official letter addressed to the Executive Secretary, clearly indicating the name and full contact details of each nominee, as well as a curriculum vitae, to be sent by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int as soon as possible, but no later than 30 June 2023. In line with decision 14/33, nominees are also required to complete the interest disclosure form. available at https://www.cbd.int/doc/forms/conflict-interest-form-en.pdf . The selection of experts will be made in consultation with the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, taking into account relevant expertise and experience as per the terms of reference of the AHTEG, as well as gender balance and equitable geographical representation. A notification announcing the composition of the AHTEG and the confirmed dates of the meeting will be issued once the selection process is complete. The AHTEG’s face-to-face meeting is tentatively scheduled to take place mid-September 2023. I would like to thank you for your kind cooperation and continued support for the work of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Acting Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol national focal points, relevant organizations and indigenous peoples and local communities, cc: CBD national focal points, BCH national focal points, SBSTTA national focal points