January 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has issued a notification outlining a list of specific requests for input from parties, other governments, indigenous and local communities, NGOs and relevant organizations emanating from decisions of the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) regarding the work programme on Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge).

Contributions should be submitted before 1 April 2013, in order to facilitate the timely preparation of documents for the eighth meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j), which will be held from 7-11 October 2013, in Montreal, Canada.

The request for information concerns: an in-depth dialogue (to be held during the eight meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j)) on connecting traditional knowledge systems and science, such as under the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES); tasks 7, 10 and 12 of the revised multi-year programme of work on Article 8(j) and how they could best contribute to work under the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS); task 15 on best-practice guidelines to facilitate repatriation of indigenous and traditional knowledge on biodiversity; sui generis systems for the protection of traditional knowledge; the development of a plan of action for customary sustainable use; the use of the term “indigenous peoples and local communities”; and the designation of national focal points for Article 8(j). [CBD Notification]