. Ad hoc technical expert groups

Ad hoc technical expert groups

The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice

1. Notes with satisfaction the work started by the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Forest Biological Diversity and the progress made towards the organization of the work of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Marine and Coastal Protected Areas;
2. Recalls that, as stated in the introduction of the terms of reference of the Group, contained in the annex to decision V/4 of the Conference of the Parties, the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Forest Biological Diversity should take into account the work of forest-related bodies and forums, including, inter alia, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Forest Resources Assessment (FRA) 2000 of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Forum on Forests;
3. Stresses the importance of organizing the meetings of the ad hoc technical expert groups on mariculture and on dry and sub-humid lands before the sixth meeting of the Conference of the Parties and requests the Executive Secretary to continue exploring the possibility of securing the necessary financial resources for these groups;
4. Encourages Parties, other Governments and organizations to examine ways in which support could be provided for the ad hoc technical expert groups on mariculture and on dry and sub-humid lands.