Online conference: 19 January to 6 February 2009
See also the
Introduction and
Agenda pages
Objectives
This online conference aims to facilitate an initial exchange of views and emerging experiences and lessons learned regarding integration of biosafety considerations into national development plans, strategies and programmes.
The specific objectives of the conference are:
- To review the current status, needs and challenges of countries in integrating biosafety into national development plans and similar instruments, such as Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) and national plans for implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
- To share experiences and lessons learned so far in integrating biosafety and other environmental considerations into the national development plans and programmes and development assistance programmes of donor countries (including the successes and failures and the challenges encountered).
- To identify tools, mechanisms and opportunities that could be incorporated into some generic guidance for assisting countries to integrate biosafety into their national development plans and programmes, taking into account experience and lessons learned from relevant processes.
- To discuss possible ways and means of strengthening the capacities of developing countries and countries with economies in transition to integrate biosafety into national development plans and processes.
The outcomes of the conference will provide input for a background paper which will provide a basis for the face-to-face discussions at the fifth coordination meeting to be held from 9 to 11 March 2009 in San José, Costa Rica. The conclusions and recommendations of the coordination meeting will be made available to all governments and relevant organizations and to the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol (COP-MOP) for its consideration. It is hoped that COP-MOP will adopt a decision with guidance to assist Parties to integrate biosafety into their national development plans and strategies and/or development assistance programmes.
