Information

MOP 2 Decision BS-II/14

Other scientific and technical issues that may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Protocol

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,

Having examined the note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/2/14) on other scientific and technical issues that may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Protocol, and taking note of the submissions received on this issue,

Obligations and rights of transit States

1. Invites Parties, other Governments and relevant international organizations to submit views, not later than six months prior to the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, regarding clarification of the rights and/or obligations of transit States, particularly related to documentation, for inclusion in a synthesis report to be considered by the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol;

Exchange of information on biosafety research

2. Encourages Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to share the results of public research related to biosafety through the Biosafety Information Resource Centre of the Biosafety Clearing-House;

Consideration of the need for a subsidiary body to address scientific issues including risk assessment and risk management

Recalling paragraph 2 of its decision BS-I/11, in which it decided to consider, at its third meeting, the need for designating or establishing a permanent subsidiary body that provides the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol with timely advice on scientific and technical issues arising in relation to the implementation of the Protocol,

Recognizing that consideration of risk assessment and risk management issues will be ongoing as particular issues arise, including but not necessarily limited to cooperation in the identification of living modified organisms and traits that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, as envisaged by paragraph 5 of Article 16,

3. Invites Parties and other Governments to submit views to the Executive Secretary, in conjunction with the interim national reports under the Protocol that will be submitted in accordance with decision BS-I/9, regarding the need to designate or establish a permanent subsidiary body to provide the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol with timely advice on scientific and technical issues arising in relation to the implementation of the Protocol including risk assessment and risk management, and also views regarding the nature of any such body should it be established and particular issues that it could address, such as issues related to paragraph 5 of Article 16, for inclusion in a synthesis report to be considered by the third meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.