Handling, transport, packaging and identification (Article 18)
1. Invites Parties to the Convention, Governments and relevant
international organizations to submit to the Executive Secretary information
on their existing practices, rules and standards relevant to Article 18 of the
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety by 31 March 2001;
2. Requests the Executive Secretary, based on the information
provided pursuant to the above paragraph and other relevant information, to
prepare for the consideration of the second meeting of the Intergovernmental
Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety:
(a) A synthesis of these practices, rules and standards; and
(b) Options for coordinating the work under Article 18 with the work
of other relevant international bodies;
3. Requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the necessary
financial resources being made available, to convene a meeting of government-nominated
technical experts in handling, transport, packaging and identification, taking
into account the need for regional representation, transparency, equity and
the need for cooperation with relevant intergovernmental organizations, to consider
on the basis of information submitted under paragraph 1, the needs and modalities
for developing measures for Parties to meet their future obligations pursuant
to paragraphs 2(b) and 2(c) of Article 18, and to prepare a report on their
deliberations and recommendations for consideration by the Intergovernmental
Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety at its second meeting;
4. Welcomes the generous offer of the Governments of France
and of Canada to provide financial support for the convening of a technical
expert group and the further offer of France to host and Canada to co-host that
meeting;
5. Urges developed country Parties to the Convention to the
extent necessary to provide further financial support for the meeting of technical
experts referred to in the preceding paragraph to the Executive Secretary as
soon as possible and in any event no later than 31 January 2001;
