Friday // 2.22.2008

Frequently Asked Questions

The Secretariat has prepared these questions and answers to assist public understanding of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It is not intended to provide legal interpretation of the Protocol. Please refer to the original text of the Protocol for any further information.

a.	Biosafety and Biotechnology
	(Questions 1-7)

b.	The Biosafety Protocol and its Implementation
	(Questions 8-28)

c.	Becoming a Party to the Protocol
	(Questions 29-35)

35. What are the benefits of becoming a Party to the Protocol?

Becoming a Party to the Protocol presents a number of benefits, such as the following:

Influence on the implementation of the Protocol and shaping of its further development through participation in the decision-making processes of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol;
For developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, eligibility for financial support from the Global Environment Facility (the financial mechanism for the Protocol) for capacity-building, as well as other support for implementation of the Protocol and participation in its processes; (see Decision COP VII/20)
Enhanced visibility and credibility of national systems for regulating biosafety within the global community;
Contribution to harmonized rules, procedures and practices in managing the transboundary movement of LMOs;
Facilitation of mechanisms and opportunities for governments to collaborate with other governments, the private sector and civil society on strengthening biosafety;
Improved access to relevant technologies and data, and benefiting from a regular exchange of information and expertise; and
Demonstration of commitment to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity through the implementation of biosafety measures.