Notification 2011-183

Dear Madam/Sir, In decisions BS-IV/11 and BS-V/12, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP-MOP) requested the Executive Secretary to convene regional or sub-regional training courses to enable countries gain hands-on experience in preparing and evaluating risk assessment reports in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. I am pleased to inform you that, with the funding support from the Government of Spain and the offer by the Government of Cuba to host the event, the training course for the Latin America sub-region will be held in Havana, Cuba, from 7 to 11 November 2011. The training course will, inter alia, enable participants to: (a) Learn about risk assessment in the context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and review the general concepts, principles and methodologies; (b) Understand the framework in which the risk assessment is conducted, the mandate of a risk assessor and how to establish an interdisciplinary teamwork in the context of risk assessment; © Understand the need for and use of baseline information in a risk assessment; (d) Review the format and key elements of risk assessment reports/dossiers and risk assessment summaries; (e) Develop skills in using and interpreting existing information, as well as identifying and addressing information gaps; and (f) Test the Guidance on Risk Assessment of Living Modified Organisms. Accordingly, I have the pleasure to invite you to nominate one expert from your country or organization to take part in the training course. The nominated participants must be persons who are currently (or are expected to be) involved in the risk assessment of living modified organisms. Each nomination is to be accompanied by a curriculum vitae indicating the scientific activities in which the nominee has been involved that are relevant to environmental risk assessment, as well as a description of how the nominee will be able to apply the knowledge acquired during the training course in future activities. Participants will be selected from among the nominees by Parties and other Governments based on their scientific background. Financial support will be available to one participant each from developing country Parties and Parties with economy in transition. In addition, a limited number of observers will be selected from among the nominees by relevant organizations. It would be appreciated if your nomination could reach the Secretariat as soon as possible but no later than Friday, 14 October 2011, in order to enable us to finalise arrangements for the training course in a timely manner. Please note that the training course will be conducted in Spanish 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: Latin America Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety National Focal Points, Relevant organizations