In January 2000, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the g[Cartagena Protocol] on Biosafety, which addresses the transfer, handling and use of Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) which are usually referred to as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Following adoption of this protocol, GEF and UNEP initiated a capacity building strategy for States parties, through a joint project on development of National Biosafety Frameworks (NBFs). The objective of NBFs is to prepare States to meet their obligations under the Protocol, and this project provides funding to assist the States in preparing NBFs. Although NBFs are country-specific, they usually contain five common elements:
- a governmental policy on biosafety;
- a regulatory regime for biosafety (usually, this includes provisions from framework legislation, as well as implementing regulations and guidelines);
- a system for managing notifications or requests for authorizations for certain activities (e.g., releases of GMOs into the environment);
- enforcement and monitoring systems; and
- systems for collecting, exchanging, and disseminating public information and for involving the public in decisionmaking processes.
In order to ensure that the State receiving assistance is committed to preparing the NBF and to subsequently implementing the NBF, GEF requires that the State have not only signed, but also ratified, the Cartagena Protocol. The State is also required to contribute a third of the resources to meet the overall costs of preparing the NBF; this contribution is usually provided through staff resources, office space, etc.
In 2004, 123 States were in the process of elaborating their national NBF, and 12 were implementing their NBF (with GEF funds).
For more information, see http://www.unep.ch/biosafety/