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Convention on Biological Diversity |
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| Signed by 150 government leaders at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the Convention on Biological Diversity is dedicated to promoting sustainable development. Conceived as a practical tool for translating the principles of Agenda 21 into reality, the Convention recognises that biological diversity is about more than plants, animals and micro organisms and their ecosystems – it is about people and our need for food security, medicines, fresh air and water, shelter, and a clean and healthy environment in which to live. |
| CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY - A BRIEF HISTORY |
| Sustainable Life on Hearth - how the Convention on Biological Diversity promotes nature and human wellbeing. A brief history of the Convention on Biological Diversity |
| CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (COP) |
| The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the governing body of the Convention, and advances implementation of the Convention through the decisions it takes at its periodic meetings. COP is the highest decision-making body of the Convention |
- SUBSIDIARY BODY OF THE CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES (SBSTTA)
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- SBSTTA is a subsidiary body of the Conference of the Parties (COP) and reports regularly to the COP on all aspects of its work. Its functions include: providing assessment of the status of biological diversity; assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; and respond to questions that the COP may put to the body.
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- BIOSAFETY WORKING GROUP (BSWG)
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- Having considered the report of the open-ended ad hoc group, COP 2 established the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety (Biosafety Working Group or BSWG) to develop a draft protocol on biosafety. Terms of reference for the BSWG were set out in annex to decision II/5. The BSWG was to complete its work in 1998.
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| CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY |
| Background, text of the Protocol, Parties and Signatories |
- INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR THE CARTAGENA PROTOCOL ON BIOSAFETY (ICCP)
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- The conference of the Parties established an open-ended ad hoc Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (ICCP) with a mandate to to undertake the preparations necessary for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, when at start of which the Committee ceased to exist
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- CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY SERVING AS THE MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THE PROTOCOL (COP-MOP)
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- The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP-MOP) is the governing body of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Its primary role is to keep under regular review the implementation of the Protocol and to make decisions necessary to promote its effective implementation.
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- CPB ISSUES
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- Information on the key issues that are being addressed by the COP-MOP
- 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.
- A Compliance mechanism under an international environmental treaty is normally devised to facilitate Parties to fulfill their obligations and deal with non-compliance. In accordance with Article 34 of the Protocol, the COP-MOP adopted procedures and mechanisms on compliance and established a Compliance Committee to promote compliance, to address cases of non-compliance, and to provide advice or assistance.
- Financial Mechanism & Resources. Article 28, paragraph 2 of the Cartagena Protocol provides that "the financial mechanism established in Article 21 of the Convention shall, through the insitutional structure entrusted with its operation, be the financial mechanism for this Protocol". The COP in decision 1/2 designated the restructured Global Environment Facility (GEF) to serve as the institutional structure to operate the financial mechanism under the Convention on an interim basis.
- Handling, Transport, Packaging and Identification. Article 18 of the Protocol addresses the issue of handling, transport, packaging and identification of living modified organisms (LMOs). Paragraph 1 of the Article is about safe handling, transport and packaging of LMOs. Each Party to the Protocol has the obligation to take necessary measures that will keep LMOs handled, packaged and transported under conditions of safety, taking into consideration relevant international rules and standards.
- Liability and Redress in the context of the Protocol concerns the question of what would happen if the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs) has caused damage.
- Risk Assessment & Risk Management. The Biosafety Protocol requires Parties to make decisions on import of LMOs for intentional introduction into the environment in accordance with scientifically sound risk assessments (Article 15). It sets out, in Annex III general principles, methodological steps, and points to consider in the conduct of risk assessment. The general principles include, among others, the following concepts: Risk assessment should be carried out in a scientifically sound and transparent manner; Lack of scientific knowledge or scientific consensus should not necessarily be interpreted as indicating a particular level of risk, an absence of risk, or an acceptable risk; Risks should be considered in the context of risks posed by the non-modified recipients or parental organisms; and that risks should be assessed on a case-by-base basis.
- Other issues. Other key issues which the COP-MOP will be addressing in its medium term programme of work up to its fifth meeting, including: monitoring and reporting, public awareness and participation, and socio-economic considerations.
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- CPB USEFUL INFORMATION
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- The Roster of Experts on biosafety was established by the COP in decision EM-I/3 and aims to "provide advice and other support, as appropriate and upon request, to developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition, to conduct risk assessment, make informed decisions, develop national human resources and promote institutional strengthening, associated with the transboundary movements of living modified organisms".
- The Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) is an information exchange mechanism established by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to assist Parties to implement its provisions and to facilitate sharing of information on, and experience with, living modified organisms (LMOs).
- Focal Points:
- National Focal Points (NFPs) are responsible for managing communication between the Secretariat and respective governments, and the public.
- Competent National Authorities are responsible for performing the administrative functions required by the Protocol.
- Other Focal Points are also established for the Biosafety Clearing-House, or to be contacted in emergencies.
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