Notification 2007-086

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 the Executive Secretary is requested 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 The Netherlands and the offer of logistical support by the African Union (AU) Commission, I am pleased to inform you that the regional workshop for Africa will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 23 to 25 August 2007. The workshop will bring together scientists, regulators and decision makers involved in risk assessment and risk management of living modified organisms. The workshop will, inter alia, enable participants: (a) To learn about risk assessment and risk management in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and to review the general concepts, principles and methodologies; (b) To exchange practical experiences and lessons learned in conducting/reviewing risk assessments and implementing risk management measures; (c) To review existing guidance materials on risk assessment and risk management and consider the need for further guidance; (d) To review the format and key elements of risk assessment reports/dossiers and risk assessment summaries for living modified organisms; (e) To 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, who may be called upon to participate in the workshop. The submission should be accompanied by a description of the relevant expertise of the expert and a curriculum vitae indicating the risk assessment and risk management-related activities in which he/she has been involved. Participants for the workshop will be selected from among the names submitted by Parties and other Governments based on their relevant 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 least developing country Party that will make a nomination in time. In view of the late confirmation of the funding for the workshop, and taking into account the requirement by the donor to utilise the funding before September 2007, the Secretariat has a limited timeframe within which to organise the workshop. Therefore, it would be appreciated if your nomination could reach the Secretariat no later than Friday, 27 July 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 and French 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.

Executive Secretary

To: National Focal Points of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and other Governments Relevant organizations