Development of National Biosafety Frameworks Project

Background

The UNEP-GEF global project on the development of National Biosafety Frameworks began in June 2001. This three year project is designed to assist up to 100 countries to develop their National Biosafety Frameworks so that they can comply with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The project will also promote regional and sub-regional cooperation on biosafety.

• Assist up to 100 eligible countries to prepare their National BiosafetyFrameworks. Using a country-driven process, the global project will help each participating country to set up a framework for management of living modified organisms (LMOs) at the national level, allowing them to meet the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol.
• Promote regional and sub-regional collaboration and exchange of experience on issues of relevance to the National Biosafety Frameworks. This will help to make efficient use of financial and human resources, establish regional and sub-regional networks, and promote harmonization of risk assessment procedures and regulatory instruments.
• Provide advice and support to countries throughout the development of their National Biosafety Frameworks.

How can countries join?

• They must sign or ratify the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;
• They are eligible for GEF funding;
• They have not received assistance previously from the UNEP-GEF Pilot Project on Biosafety;
• Their national GEF Focal Point has formally expressed the country's interest in participating in the Project.

Project components

• Information gathering
• Analysis,consultation, training
• Preparation of a draft NBF (draft legal instruments, administrative systems, risk assessment procedures, systems for public participation and information).

• Increase understanding of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
• Assess implications for risk assessment and decision-making at national levels.

• For capacity building
• Opportunities for collaboration
• Mechanisms for sharing of risk assessment and management experiences
• To coordinate capacity building actvities
• Networking to share lessons and experiences.
  

Background

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety aims:

"to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements".


1. assist countries to establish their national biosafety frameworks;
2. promote information sharing and collaboration, especially at the regional and sub-regional level; and
3. promote collaboration with other organizations to assist capacity-building for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

How is the project funded?