Introduction
Capacity building is a key prerequisite for the effective implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. In order to be able to implement their obligations, Parties need appropriate institutional mechanisms and infrastructure, well-trained human resources, adequate funding as well as easy access to relevant information.
Article 22 of the Protocol requires Parties to cooperate in the development and strengthening of capacities in biosafety, including through existing organizations and through private sector involvement. Such cooperation includes, for instance, scientific and technical training and the enhancement of technological capacities in biosafety. The Protocol (
Article 11, paragraph 9 ) also invites Parties to indicate their needs for financial and technical assistance and capacity-building specifically with respect to LMOs intended for direct use as food or feed or for processing. Furthermore, the governing body of the Protocol (COP-MOP) is required, when giving its guidance with respect to the financial mechanism for the Protocol, to take into account the needs of developing country Parties in their effort to identify and implement their capacity-building requirements (
Article 28 paragraphs 4 and 5).
At its first meeting, the COP-MOP in its
decision BS-I/5 endorsed an
Action Plan for Building Capacities for the Effective Implementation of Protocol as well as the
Coordination Mechanism developed by the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP). The COP-MOP also considered a preliminary set of criteria and indicators for monitoring implementation of the Action Plan. Finally the COP-MOP decided to include capacity-building as one of the standing items on its
medium-term programme of work up to its fifth meeting.
The following pages provide brief descriptions of the frameworks and mechanisms put in place, such as the Action Plan and the Coordination Mechanism, to assist Parties to build their capacities to implement the Protocol. It also provides links to databases on
existing capacity-building projects, opportunities and needs of countries as well as relevant resource materials.
At its third meeting, the COP-MOP in its
decision BS-III/3 adopted a revised Action Plan for Building Capacities for the Effective Implementation of the Protocol as well as measures to facilitate its implementation and effectiveness and to foster coordination and synergies between different capacity-building initiatives.
In
decision BS-III/4 , COP-MOP outlined a process aimed at strengthening the quality, effectiveness and level of use of the Roster of Biosafety Experts.
At its fourth meeting, the COP-MOP, in
decision BS-IV/3, considered the status of implementing the updated Action Plan and its Coordination Mechanism and adopted measures for enhancing the sharing of information and reports regarding their implementation. The COP-MOP also approved a revised set of indicators for monitoring the Action Plan and agreed to review them at its sixth meeting. Furthermore, the COP-MOP adopted measures to promote long-term biosafety education and training. Among other things, developed country Parties, other Governments, GEF, bilateral and multi-lateral agencies were invited to provide financial and other support to enable universities and relevant institutions to develop and/or expand existing biosafety academic programmes and provide scholarships to students from developing country Parties.
