CBD call for experts

IAP academy members are invited to nominate suitable experts to participate in the Convention on Biological Diversity's Open-ended Online Expert Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management. The forum will run from 29 January to 12 February. Academies wishing to nominate someone should use the 'Observer Nomination' form for 'Relevant Organizations' available at: http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/info_participants

From: Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity

Date: 15 January 2018

To: Cartagena Protocol National Focal Points; CBD National Focal Points (where CPB focal points have not yet been designated); relevant organizations; and indigenous peoples and local communities

Subject: Activities of the Open-ended Online Expert Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and nomination of experts Thematic area: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Ref.: SCBD/SPS/DC/MPM/MW/87111 NOTIFICATION No. 2018-009

Dear Madam/Sir,

In its decision VIII/12, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) decided to extend the Online Forum on Risk Assessment and Risk Management (available at http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/forum_ra.shtml) to exchange experiences on risk assessment, provide information and views on, and perceived gaps in existing guidance materials, and proposals to address any gaps identified. Furthermore, the COP-MOP invited its Bureau to appoint a lead moderator for the online discussions and reporting on discussions. Accordingly, I am pleased to inform you that the discussions under the Online Forum will resume on 29 January 2018, in accordance with the calendar of activities available at http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/calendar_ra.shtml, and will be moderated by Mr. Timothy Strabala of New Zealand. I am also pleased to invite you to nominate additional experts from your country or organization, as appropriate, who are actively involved in risk assessment and risk management, to participate in the Online Forum.

Experts already nominated to the Online Forum are automatically registered for the upcoming discussions and must not be re-nominated. Information on how to nominate experts to the Online Forum may be found at http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/info_participants.

The outcomes of the online discussions, along with other relevant documentation, will be considered by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its twenty second meeting to be held in Montreal, Canada from 2 to 7 July 2018, with a view to recommending a way forward to address the needs, priorities and gaps identified by Parties for consideration by the COP MOP at its ninth meeting.

Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Cristiana Paşca Palmer, PhD

Executive Secretary Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity United Nations Environment Programme