Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety
The Secretariat issued notification 2025-001 inviting governments and organizations to submit information on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities, and requested Parties to review national records published in the Biosafety Clearing-House. Twenty-nine submissions were received in response to this notification. Among the submissions, twenty-two were from Parties and other governments and seven submissions were from relevant organizations. A summary of the submissions is available at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
The Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety was convened from 14 to 18 July 2025 with the objective of further advancing the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
A summary report of the Online Forum has been made available here: https://www.cbd.int/doc/c/fb84/f0bc/60f3fb9bed089cc280a2b49d/cp-cb-om-2025-01-02-en.pdf
The Forum was organized to facilitate structured discussions on capacity-building in the context of biosafety, and to support the effective implementation of the Action Plan. It served as a platform to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities, and to foster collaboration among a broad community of stakeholders engaged in biosafety capacity-building initiatives.
The outcomes of the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety will be compiled and made available to the regional and subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centres, with the aim of informing and supporting the identification of the capacity-building needs of Parties in the area of biosafety.
The notification for the Forum is available here.
The forum was moderated by: Ms. Thato Mogapi from South Africa.
The meeting was opened on Monday 14 July 2025 , 12 (noon) EDT, and closed on Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
The guidelines for the Forum are available here.
The modalities for the Forum are available here.
Topics and Guiding Questions
The guiding questions are available here.
The following topics were discussed:
Table of Contents
Topic 1: Capacity-building priority needs and challenges
Ms. Ulrika Nilsson,
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12696
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12696
a year agoa year ago
POSTED ON BEHALF OF THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 1.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions below.
Topic 1: Capacity-building priority needs and challenges
1. Based on the submission of information from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities, what do you consider are the key capacity-building priority needs and challenges to implement the Capacity-building Action Plan (e.g. securing financial support to implement regulations, information-sharing, strengthening the administrative systems needed to implement the regulatory frameworks, conducting risk assessment of LMOs, training regulators)? The summary of submissions is available at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
2. Based on the above-mentioned submissions, some of the priority needs and challenges to implementing the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Protocol were not highlighted, including Goal A.3. on full information on the implementation of the Protocol made available by Parties in a timely manner, Goal A.4. on compliance with the requirements of the Protocol, Goal A.6 on illegal and unintentional transboundary movements of LMOs, Goal A.9. on socio-economic considerations regarding LMOs and Goal B.3. specifically on public participation regarding LMOs. Please visit the Capacity-building Action Plan at https://bch.cbd.int/protocol/post2020/capacity-building/text.shtml. Could you provide some information on the priority needs and challenges for these goals?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 1.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions below.
Topic 1: Capacity-building priority needs and challenges
1. Based on the submission of information from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities, what do you consider are the key capacity-building priority needs and challenges to implement the Capacity-building Action Plan (e.g. securing financial support to implement regulations, information-sharing, strengthening the administrative systems needed to implement the regulatory frameworks, conducting risk assessment of LMOs, training regulators)? The summary of submissions is available at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
2. Based on the above-mentioned submissions, some of the priority needs and challenges to implementing the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Protocol were not highlighted, including Goal A.3. on full information on the implementation of the Protocol made available by Parties in a timely manner, Goal A.4. on compliance with the requirements of the Protocol, Goal A.6 on illegal and unintentional transboundary movements of LMOs, Goal A.9. on socio-economic considerations regarding LMOs and Goal B.3. specifically on public participation regarding LMOs. Please visit the Capacity-building Action Plan at https://bch.cbd.int/protocol/post2020/capacity-building/text.shtml. Could you provide some information on the priority needs and challenges for these goals?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
Topic 2: Ongoing and planned biosafety capacity-building projects/initiatives
Ms. Ulrika Nilsson,
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12697
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12697
a year agoa year ago
POSTED ON BEHALF OF THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 2.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions below.
Topic 2: Ongoing and planned biosafety capacity-building projects/initiatives
1. Please provide information on current and planned capacity-building initiatives and opportunities available to Parties to the Protocol.
These may include projects, workshops, webinars, online or in-person courses, training materials, academic programs (e.g., degrees or certificates), studies, and surveys.
If you have not done so yet, kindly submit relevant websites, document links, and supporting resources to:
Capacity Development Initiatives in the Biosafety Clearing-House: https://bch.cbd.int/en/search?currentPage=1&schema=capacityBuildingInitiative
Virtual Library Resources: https://bch.cbd.int/en/register/VLR/new
Once submitted, the Secretariat will review and approve the records, allowing a link to be created to the submitter. Participants may then share the link.
2. Identify the target audience for each capacity-building activity.
3. Specify the timeframe or schedule for each activity, including start and end dates where applicable.
4. What are the key global, regional cooperation (e.g. multi-country projects) and/or local cooperation efforts that could be promoted in countries to hold capacity-building activities?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 2.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions below.
Topic 2: Ongoing and planned biosafety capacity-building projects/initiatives
1. Please provide information on current and planned capacity-building initiatives and opportunities available to Parties to the Protocol.
These may include projects, workshops, webinars, online or in-person courses, training materials, academic programs (e.g., degrees or certificates), studies, and surveys.
If you have not done so yet, kindly submit relevant websites, document links, and supporting resources to:
Capacity Development Initiatives in the Biosafety Clearing-House: https://bch.cbd.int/en/search?currentPage=1&schema=capacityBuildingInitiative
Virtual Library Resources: https://bch.cbd.int/en/register/VLR/new
Once submitted, the Secretariat will review and approve the records, allowing a link to be created to the submitter. Participants may then share the link.
2. Identify the target audience for each capacity-building activity.
3. Specify the timeframe or schedule for each activity, including start and end dates where applicable.
4. What are the key global, regional cooperation (e.g. multi-country projects) and/or local cooperation efforts that could be promoted in countries to hold capacity-building activities?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
Topic 3: Building a community of practice- Lessons learned and opportunities
Ms. Ulrika Nilsson,
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12698
UNEP/SCBD/Biosafety#12698
a year agoa year ago
POSTED ON BEHALF OF THE MODERATOR OF THE FORUM
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 3.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions for the topic below.
1. Do you use the Roster of Experts? If so, please provide details.
The Roster of Experts is available at: https://bch.cbd.int/en/search?currentPage=1&tab=nationalRecords&schema=biosafetyExpert&group=government&group=schema
2. In your opinion, are networking opportunities important for improving capacity-building? If so, please provide examples.
3. What types of cooperation efforts could help build synergies and share expertise (e.g., promoting partnerships)? Please provide more details. Can you share any examples or lessons learned from past experiences?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
Dear Forum Participants,
Welcome to Topic 3.
I am pleased and honored to have been invited to moderate the Online Forum on Capacity-building for Biosafety. The Online Forum aims to support the implementation of the Capacity-building Action Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The discussions will be an opportunity to further elaborate on identified needs and priorities of capacity-building activities and to mobilize a community of stakeholders working together on capacity-building activities.
Please note that the discussions will be held from 14 July 2025, 12 (noon) ED, to Friday 18 July 2025, 11:59 p.m. EDT.
Please find below the guiding questions for the different discussion topics.
Please note that participants must register and sign into the BCH in order to post messages.
Participants wishing to follow the discussions under the different topics via email after this initial message can do so through choosing to “subscribe” to the discussions taking place under the different topics.
We look forward to your discussions.
We would also like to encourage you to view the summary of submissions from governments and organizations on implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities at https://www.cbd.int/meetings/CP-CB-OM-2025-01
I look forward to reading your suggestions and comments. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
Please find the guiding questions for the topic below.
1. Do you use the Roster of Experts? If so, please provide details.
The Roster of Experts is available at: https://bch.cbd.int/en/search?currentPage=1&tab=nationalRecords&schema=biosafetyExpert&group=government&group=schema
2. In your opinion, are networking opportunities important for improving capacity-building? If so, please provide examples.
3. What types of cooperation efforts could help build synergies and share expertise (e.g., promoting partnerships)? Please provide more details. Can you share any examples or lessons learned from past experiences?
Best regards,
Ms. Thato Mogapi
