During the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24) and the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3) government representatives, competent in the relevant field of expertise, will meet to provide the Conference of the Parties (COP) and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. In advance of these meetings, a series of special virtual sessions of SBSTTA and SBI are being scheduled for 15-18 September 2020.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic related delays in the scheduling of SBSTTA-24 and SBI-3—physical meetings will be held in the first quarter of 2021, conditions allowing—this series of special virtual sessions will facilitate preparations for the meetings of the subsidiary bodies. The further aim of these sessions is to help maintain momentum ahead of the UN Biodiversity Summit and towards COP 15.
The special sessions provide opportunities for the presentation of information and for statements by Parties and observers. No decisions or formal recommendations will be made at the special sessions. Interpretation will be provided in all UN languages.
The programme of the special virtual sessions will include:
Launch of the fifth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (Special Session of SBSTTA), 15 September
Strategy for Resource Mobilization (Special session of SBI), 17 September
Testing of A Party-Led Review Process, Through an Open-Ended Forum (Special Session of SBI), 16 And 17 September
Preparation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (Special Joint Session of SBSTTA and SBI), 18 September
As per the practice for meetings of the subsidiary bodies, the designation of representatives to participate in the above sessions should be addressed to the CBD Executive Secretary through an official letter of nomination. The letter should clearly indicate which session or sessions they wish to take part. Please send the nomination letter by e-mail to secretariat@cbd.int or by fax at +1 514-288-6588, as soon as possible but no later than 11 September 2020.
As new information becomes available, including meeting platform and connection details for each session, and other background documentation, this webpage will be updated.