The ongoing United Nation’s conference on biological diversity in Hyderabad is expected to close discussions on the Cartegena Protocol on Biosafety this week and move on to the next level of discussions on the umbrella UN Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) from October 8.
The conference is expected to take about 18 decisions covering various aspects of the Cartagena Protocol on Friday, which will mark the end of discussions on this protocol.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an international treaty that sets rules for the safe use of living organisms modified through modern biotechnology.
The protocol establishes procedures for making decisions for the import and export of these organisms. It was adopted as a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity and entered into force in September 2003.
The discussions are advancing positively. We are close to the decision-making process. The CRP (conference room papers) documents on 18 points are ready and these are going to the second stage today. We are hoping that these 18 decisions will be taken during tomorrow’s session (Friday), Charles Gbedemah, Principal Officer (Biosafety), Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, told mediapersons on Thursday.
These decisions will cover issues under the Cartagena treaty such as compliance, operation activity of biosafety clearing house, financial mechanism to support the protocol, budget for the next two years, capacity building, safe transport of living modified organisms (LMOs) and socio-economic considerations.
Gbedemah said that the conference will discuss the second national reports submitted by the parties and the modalities for the third national reports.
2012, The Hindu Business Line