Global Biodiversity Framework and biosafety

The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity decided on (decision 14/34) a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, which is expected to be adopted in 2020.

The negotiations to develop the post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be undertaken by a dedicated open-ended intersessional working group under the leadership of its two co-chairs, Mr. Francis Ogwal (Uganda) and Mr. Basile van Havre (Canada) and overseen by the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties.

The Executive Secretary published (notification 2019-026), an indicative chronology of key activities and milestones leading to the consideration of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework by COP-15, CP-MOP-10 and NP-MOP-4.

As a first step in the development of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework, a discussion document summarizing and analyzing the views of Parties and observers has been made available. This document included questions about the relationship between the Convention and the Protocols. Parties and observers were invited to provide their views on the document as well as any other views on the scope and content of the global post-2020 biodiversity framework.

The meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol (decision CP-9/7), requested the Liaison Group on the Cartagena Protocol to contribute to the development of the relevant elements of the biosafety component in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, in consultation with the co-chairs of the Open-ended Working Group. The meeting of the Parties also requested the Secretariat to facilitate the participation of an adequate number of biosafety experts, including those with expertise on the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress, in the development of the relevant elements of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, including in the relevant consultation workshop(s).

In decision CP-9/7, the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety took note of the proposed preparatory process for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework (as reflected in decision 14/34) and stressed the importance of including biosafety in the framework, inviting Parties to participate in the process for its development.

Main steps in the development of biosafety elements within the post-2020 global biodiversity framework

• Dedicated sessions to discuss biosafety matters during global and regional consultation workshop(s) referred to in decision 14/34.
• Submissions by Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organizations that provide views on the relevant elements of the biosafety component of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. See notification 2019-027, (28 February 2019) and the submissions received.
• Global consultation workshop on post-2020, biosafety and the Cartagena Protocol, 25 August 2019, Nairobi, Kenya, to be held prior to the First meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. See notification 2019-043.
• Online discussions of the Liaison Group, as appropriate, to consider the submissions and to provide input to the development of the relevant elements of the biosafety component in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.
• Face-to-face meeting of the Liaison Group, to be held in 2019, to prepare a draft of the biosafety component in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework with regard to issues related to the Cartagena Protocol.
• Consideration of outputs by the Subsidiary Body on Implementation and subsequently the tenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties meeting as the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol (COP-MOP 10).