Article 26 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
At its
sixth meeting, the COP-MOP considered further steps regarding socio-economic considerations. In
decision BS-VI/13, the COP-MOP decided to establish an ad hoc technical expert group to develop conceptual clarity in the context of paragraph 1 of Article 26.
At its
seventh meeting, the COP-MOP took note of the report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Socio-economic Considerations (AHTEG). In
decision BS-VII/13, Parties extended the AHTEG and determined that it should work, in a stepwise approach, on: (i) the further development of conceptual clarity on socio-economic considerations arising from the impact of living modified organisms on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and (ii) developing an outline for guidance with a view to making progress towards achieving operational objective 1.7 of the Strategic Plan and its outcomes.
In further developing conceptual clarity on socio-economic considerations, the AHTEG was requested to take into account and improve upon the “Elements of a Framework for Conceptual Clarity on Socio-Economic Considerations” contained in the annex to the
report of the first meeting of the AHTEG on Socio-economic Considerations. To assist in the work of the expert group, Parties were requested, and Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous and local communities were invited, to submit views and comments on the “Elements of a Framework for Conceptual Clarity on Socio-Economic Considerations” contained in the annex to the report of the first meeting of the AHTEG. The Secretariat was requested to compile these views and comments, as well as information on i) policies, laws, regulations and guidelines providing for definitions of socio-economic considerations; and (ii) practical applications of socio-economic considerations in decision-making on living modified organisms, including cases where positive and negative socio-economic impacts have been considered. The Secretariat was also requested to convene online discussion groups to facilitate the exchange of views, information and experiences on socio-economic considerations in the context of paragraph 1 of Article 26 of the Protocol, including concerning: international obligations that may be relevant to socio-economic considerations; socio-economic considerations and the value of biological diversity to indigenous and local communities; environment-related aspects of socio-economic considerations, as well as the relationship, if any, with risk assessment and human health-related issues, and to synthesize the exchange of views, information and experiences resulting from these discussions. Finally, the Secreariat was also requested to commission, subject to the availability of funds, a study on international agreements that may have relevance to socio-economic considerations as provided for in Article 26 of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and to make the report available on the Biosafety Clearing-House. The AHTEG is expected to submit its report for consideration by the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
This portal on socio-economic considerations is intended to be the source for information on these activities.
A
notification regarding the activities to take place in the intersessional period is now available.
