Source:

Geneva Green Guide on-line

http://os.grid.unep.ch/GGG/

Geneva Green Guide

UNEP/GEF Project on Development of National Biosafety Frameworks

UNEP/GEF Project on Development of National Biosafety Frameworks 11-13 chemin des Anémones International Environment House Châtelaine (Geneva)		Tel: (+41 22) 917 8411 Fax: (+41 22) 917 8070 Email: biosafety@unep.ch Web Site: http://www.unep.ch/biosafety
		Established: 2001 Staff: 14 Geneva HQ

Global Programme Manager: Christopher Briggs

chris.briggs@unep.ch

What is it? The Cartagena Protocol to the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in January 2000, 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". The newly established UNEP/GEF Biosafety Project will assist countries in establishing their national biosafety frameworks; promote information sharing and collaboration, especially at the regional and subrégional level; and promote collaboration with other organizations on capacity-building for the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

What does it do? The UNEP/GEF project on "Development of National Biosafety Frameworks" will:

	assist up to 100 eligible countries to prepare their national biosafety frameworks. Using a country-driven process, the global project will help each participating country set up a framework for managing living modified organisms (LMOs) at the national level, allowing them to meet the requirements of the Cartagena Protocol; and
	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.

Cooperation In addition to the participating countries, the project will work with international, regional, and sub-regional organisations involved in biosafety and biotechnology issues, as well as with major stakeholders such as national and international NGOs, the biotechnology industry and the private sector.

Publications