Notification 2016-055

Dear Madam/Sir, In its decision BS-V/13, the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety adopted a programme of work on public awareness, education and participation concerning the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) to facilitate the implementation of Article 23 of the Cartagena Protocol and decided to review the programme of work at the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) in the light of experiences gained by Parties (paragraph 4). The COP-MOP will consider the status of implementation of the programme of work and, as appropriate, decide on its future needs and/or necessary revisions to its elements and measures for improving its implementation and effectiveness in supporting Parties. Pursuant to the above decision, the Secretariat has prepared a survey on the progress and suggestions regarding the necessary revision or revamping of the elements of the programme of work through the Biosafety Clearing-House. The survey is to gather information corresponding to indicators in the programme of work that could not be obtained from the third national reports. In this regard, I am pleased to invite Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to provide the necessary information by responding to the survey questions at: https://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/portal_art23/POWsurvey.shtml as soon as possible but no later than 1 July 2016. Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety National Focal Points, Biosafety Clearing-House National Focal Points and Relevant Organizations