1st
AOSIS Workshop on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and Small Island
Developing States
Agenda
| Participants List | Documents
Venue:
Saint Kitts and Nevis, December 4 to
6, 2000
Sponsored by: AOSIS, the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Norway
Background:
Most Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have been active participants
in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity, but
their participation in the negotiations of the Biosafety Protocol were
somewhat circumspect. As a consequence, many SIDS, have yet to place
enough emphasis on understanding the scientific and technical issues
underpinning the Biosafety Protocol, including its implications for
national and regional development. While a number of SIDS did sign the
Protocol when it was opened for signature at COP 5, and some have already
begun the process at the various national levels to ratify the agreement,
much needs to be done at the legal and policy levels. Furthermore, the
limited public awareness of this issue in SIDS could serve to hamper
public opinion that will be needed to galvanize action at the policy
level.
The proposed workshop aims to build the capacity of SIDS to be better
informed on the full implications of being a party to the Biosafety
Protocol. The workshop intends to contribute to strengthening their
capacities in this area to enable them to make informed decisions relating
to the Protocol.
In anticipation of more SIDS signing and/or ratifying the Protocol,
a concerted, systematic effort is required in SIDS to create greater
awareness of the Biosafety Protocol and its implications. It will also
be necessary to prepare for the first meeting of the ICCP, noting the
requirement for countries to develop national legislation to support
the implementation of Protocol obligations at the national level. The
workshop also aims to introduce participants to model biosafety legislation
that can be used to fast track this requirement at the national level.
Lastly, recognizing the need for capacity at the regional level to coordinate
regional biosafety activities, the workshop will provide an opportunity
for SIDS to contribute to the development of a proposal for regional
capacity building in this area.
Objectives:
The overall aims of the workshop are to create greater awareness amongst
SIDS, particularly amonst the country focal points for biosafety, policy
makers, researchers and negotiators about the Biosafety Protocol and
its implications for the international community in general and SIDS
in particular.
The specific objectives will
be to:
a. provide the background and context within which the Protocol evolved,
what the biosafety protocol is, the legal/statutory obligations for
SIDS parties, and the practical and technical implications for SIDS.
b. examine the implications
of the Protocol for the provisions of the World Trade Organization and
possible responses by the SIDS;
c. provide a participatory process whereby SIDS participants will develop
a proposal for the establishment of regional Biosafety expert positions
with SIDS who would have responsibility for coordinating and advancing
future biosafety work in SIDS regions, and to establish modalities for
the creation of regional Biosafety networks amongst SIDS;
d. review background documentation and prepare a draft AOSIS position
for the first meeting of the ICCP; and to
e. provide an opportunity for SIDS participants to explore and critically
review model biosafety laws that they can adopt and, to identify and
document the range of possible modifications for customizing them for
specific country use.
Expected Outcomes
Participants are well informed on the Biosafety Protocol, of the technical
and legal implications for SIDS and capable of articulating to SIDS
governments the pros and cons of signing and/or ratifying the Protocol.
Participants are familiar with
an idealized national biosafety legislation and of the specific modifications
for customizing it to fit country requirements.
A proposal for the establishment of regional biosafety support structures
that are fully endorsed and supported by participants, and a mandate
for regional institutions to proceed with soliciting resources for its
establishment.
Structure of the Workshop
Under the auspices of the Chairman of AOSIS, SPREP and the SIDS Unit
of DESA will plan and coordinate expert inputs to and execute the Workshop.
The Workshop will consists of an official opening session and working
sessions consisting of expert presentations on Background and Context
of the Protocol; Implications for SIDS; and Preparatory responses to
the ICCP work program and for country implementation of obligations
under the Protocol (see Agenda). Flexibility will be built into the
structure of the workshop to enable the use of working groups.
For further information, please contact Mr. Espen Ronneberg, DSD/DESA
at ronneberg@un.org, or Ms. Desna
Solofa, Samoa UN Mission, at desnams@bigplanet.com.
www.sidsnet.org
