Notification 2007-119

Dear Madam/Sir, In paragraph 2 of Decision BS-II/9, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol requested the Executive Secretary to convene, prior to its fourth meeting, regional workshops on capacity-building and exchange of experiences on risk assessment and risk management of living modified organisms. Following the generous financial contribution by the Government of Switzerland and the offer by the Government of the Republic of Moldova to host it, I am pleased to inform you that the regional workshop for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will be held in Chisinau from 26 to 28 November 2007. The workshop will bring together scientists, regulators and decision makers who are involved in risk assessment and risk management of living modified organisms. The workshop will, inter alia, enable participants to: (a) learn about risk assessment and risk management in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and review the general concepts, principles and methodologies; (b) exchange practical experiences and lessons learned in conducting/reviewing risk assessments and implementing risk management measures; (c) review existing guidance materials on risk assessment and risk management and consider the need for further guidance; (d) review the format and key elements of risk assessment reports/dossiers and risk assessment summaries for living modified organisms; and (e) identify tools and mechanisms for promoting cooperation and networking between experts and agencies involved in risk assessment and risk management at the regional level. You are hereby invited to submit one name of an expert from your country or organization actively involved in risk assessment and risk management to participate in the workshop. The submission should be accompanied by a description of the relevant experience of the expert and curriculum vitae indicating risk assessment and risk management related activities, in which he/she has been involved. Participants will be selected from among the names submitted by Parties and other Governments based on their expertise, also taking into account sub-regional and gender balance. In addition, a limited number of observers will be selected from the names submitted by relevant organizations. Financial support for participation in the workshop will be available for one participant from each developing country and country with economy in transition in the CEE region which will make its nomination in due time. In view of the late receipt of the funding for the workshop, and taking into account the requirement by the donor to utilise the funding before the end of 2007, the Secretariat has a limited timeframe within which to organise the workshop. It would therefore be appreciated if your nomination could reach the Secretariat as soon as possible but no later than Friday, 2 November 2007, in order to enable us to finalise arrangements for the workshop in a timely manner. Please note that the workshop will be conducted in English only. Thank you for your continued cooperation and support towards the work of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

To: Central and Eastern Europe National Focal Points of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosatety and other Governments of relevant organizations