Introduction

In decision 16/21, the Conference of the Parties decided to develop a thematic action plan to support capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology and knowledge-sharing in the context of synthetic biology, building on the needs and priorities of Parties, especially for developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States, and Parties with economies in transition, for the implementation of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, in line with the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building and development (decision 15/8), while avoiding duplication with existing plans and strategies under the Convention and its Protocols.

The thematic action plan should take into account: 

1. The specific needs of Parties and indigenous peoples and local communities that are complementary to the capacity-building action plan for the Cartagena Protocol, as identified in their submissions of information made further to the request in paragraph 7; 
2. The identification of areas where capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology and knowledge-sharing are needed for research and development and for assessment in the field of synthetic biology; 
3. Strategies to facilitate the equitable participation of developing country Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, academia, the business sector and relevant institutions in research and development in the field of synthetic biology;
4.  Strategies to promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from synthetic biology, in line with Articles 16 and 19 of the Convention and with the Framework; and
5. Mechanisms for technology transfer, knowledge-sharing and international technical and scientific cooperation to foster innovation, in line with Articles 16 and 18 of the Convention and with the Framework.

Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, academia, research institutions, the business sector and relevant organizations were also invited to submit information on their experiences, needs and priorities to support the preparation of the thematic action plan.

In response, the Secretariat issued notifications 2025-065 and 2025-088 calling for submissions of information to support the preparation of this thematic action plan. A total of 29 submissions were received from 19 Parties and 10 Organizations. The submissions were made available on the Biosafety Clearing-House.

The Secretariat also commissioned the Institute of Genetics and Cytology at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus to assist with the preparation of the first draft.

Peer review

The Secretariat issued notification 2025-149 inviting Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities, and relevant organizations to participate in a peer review process for the thematic action plan (as requested by the Conference of the Parties in decision 16/21, paragraph 9(d)). 

Accordingly, the first draft of the thematic action plan is available here: draft-thematic-action-plan-synbio.docx

The template for the peer review is available here: thematic-action-plan-synbio-comment-template.docx

Submissions should be accompanied by an endorsement letter from the National Focal Point to the Convention on Biological Diversity or the Head of Organization, as appropriate. 

The deadline to submit peer review comments through the Biosafety Clearing-House platform is 26 January 2026.