The Framework and Action Plan 2012-2020

The Framework and Action Plan (2012-2020) has been superseded by the Capacity-building Action Plan, covering the period up to 2030

The Framework and Action Plan (2012-2020)

The present Framework and Action Plan adopted at the sixth meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, in decision BS-VI/3, paragraph 3, - Annex I, is designed to facilitate the implementation of the capacity-building components of the Strategic Plan of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for the period 2011-2020. It includes an indicative list of expected results and a set of activities to be implemented. It is also designed to serve both as a strategic document and as a reference or guidance tool. As a strategic document it sets the overall vision, direction, objectives and scope of capacity-building under the Protocol, including key areas requiring urgent action. As a reference or guidance tool it provides a general conceptual and operational framework for capacity-building, including the guiding principles and approaches, strategic processes and steps that may be taken, and general guidance on key tools, good practices and lessons learned that Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations could use or apply in designing and implementing their own capacity-building interventions.

The document is relevant to a wide range of individuals and organizations involved in the design, implementation and/or funding of biosafety capacity-building initiatives. It can be adapted to many situations and contexts to address specific capacity-building needs and challenges. It is a living tool that will be updated on the basis of the experiences gained and lessons learned from previous and ongoing global efforts.

Background

An Action Plan was adopted at the first meeting of the governing body of the Protocol (COP-MOP 1) in Decision BS-I/5 - Annex I and was revised by the Parties at their third meeting (COP-MOP 3) in Decision BS-III/3, Annex. At their sixth meeting (COP-MOP 6), in decision BS-VI/3, paragraph 3, - Annex I, Parties adopted a new Framework and Action Plan to replace the updated Action Plan.

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The Capacity-Building Coordination Mechanism

At its sixth meeting, in decision BS-VI/3, COP-MOP adopted a restructured and streamlined Coordination Mechanism contained in Annex II to the decision. The objective of the Coordination Mechanism is to facilitate the synchronization and integration of activities through cooperation and exchange of information with a view to promoting complementarity and maximizing synergies between various capacity-building initiatives in order to minimize duplication of effort and foster efficient utilization of available resources. The Coordination Mechanism allows Parties, other governments, relevant organizations and donors involved in implementing and/or funding biosafety capacity building initiatives to share information and experiences on their ongoing initiatives; exchange resource materials and information about existing capacity-building opportunities; identify key biosafety capacity building issues and priority needs and ways to address them; and identify overlaps and potential areas for collaboration. It also facilitates interaction, dialogue, and networking among them.

The Coordination Mechanism comprises the following components:

Background

At its first meeting, the COP-MOP invited Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to actively participate in and support the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism. It also requested the Secretariat to undertake specific activities to operationalize the Coordination Mechanism and to prepare a progress report for consideration by the COP-MOP at its second meeting.

In its decision BS-II/3, COP-MOP welcomed the progress report on the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism which was prepared by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/2/4, section II) as well as the report of the coordination meeting for academic and other institutions offering biosafety-related training and education programmes (UNEP/CBD/COP-MOP/2/INF/9) and the report of the first coordination meeting for Governments and organizations implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities (UNEP/CBD/COP MOP/2/INF/10). The Executive Secretary was requested to further develop the Coordination Mechanism, including needs assessment and coordination, taking into account the Bali Strategic Plan for Technology Support and Capacity-Building adopted by the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme in February 2005 with a view to creating synergies and avoiding unnecessary duplication of work.

In its decision BS-III/3, COP-MOP welcomed the report of the second coordination meeting for Governments and organizations implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities (UNEP/CBD/COP-MOP/3/INF/5). It also urged Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations to regularly update, as appropriate, information on their capacity-building submitted to the Biosafety Clearing-House and to improve the level of detail and quality of the information.

In its decision BS-IV/3, COP-MOP considered the progress made in the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism and the measures undertaken to further improve its implementation (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/5/4). It also welcomed the reports of the third and fourth coordination meetings for Governments and organizations implementing or funding biosafety capacity-building activities (UNEP/CBD/COP-MOP/5/INF/4). The Executive Secretary was requested to continue encouraging relevant organizations and donors to support and participate actively in the Coordination Mechanism and to undertake measures to further improve the Coordination Mechanism and provide a report to the sixth meeting of the Parties.

In its BS-VI/3, COP-MOP considered the report on the implementation of the Coordination Mechanism (UNEP/CBD/BS/COP-MOP/6/7) and adopted the restructured and streamlined elements of the Coordination Mechanism in Annex II to the decision. It also invited donor countries and agencies and other organizations providing capacity support in biosafety to participate actively in the Coordination Mechanism. Pursuant to decision BS-VI/3 and in the context of operational objective 2 of the Strategic Plan for the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for the period 2011-2020, Parties, other Governments, relevant organizations and indigenous peoples and local communities were invited to submit information on the status of implementation of the Framework and Action Plan for Capacity-Building for the Effective Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, including a summary of the results of the activities undertaken, good practices and lessons learned. Submissions received are available here.

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