Background
At its thirteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted
decision XIII/24 on cooperation with other conventions and international organizations, including options to enhance synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions.
The decision includes two substantive annexes: Annex I, identifying options for enhancing synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions at the national level, and Annex II providing a road map for enhancing synergies among the biodiversity-related conventions at the international level 2017-2020. Many of the actions in the second annex are concerned with actions taken at the international level that will support action at the national level.
In paragraph 15 of the decision, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the bureau, to establish an informal advisory group on synergies consisting of Party representatives with balanced representation, including regionally, to provide advice on prioritization and implementation of actions foreseen in the “road map”.
In response to the decision, the Secretariat issued a
notification on 28 August 2017 inviting Parties to submit nominations of qualified representatives by 30 September 2017, compiled and analyzed nominations received and consulted with the bureau in selecting and finalizing the membership. A
notification issued on 3 November 2017 informed Parties of the composition of the informal advisory group.
The informal advisory group on synergies among biodiversity-related conventions is scheduled to meet in Montreal, Canada,
from 17 to 18 December 2017 to advance its work as mandated by decision XIII/24. The report of the meeting will be considered by the group in preparing its report to the
Subsidiary Body on Implementation at its second meeting, scheduled to be held in Montreal, Canada, from 9 to 13 July 2018.
To facilitate its work, an
online forum has been created (restricted to members of the informal advisory group on synergies).
