PROJECT INCEPTION WORKSHOP on BIOSAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT OF EGYPT

9 – 10 July 2007

Convention on Biological Diversity

• One of the major outcome of the Earth Summit in Rio (5 June 1992)

• Focuses on

i. Conservation of Biological Diversity

ii. Sustainable use of natural resources

iii. Fair and Equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources

Article 19.3 – set the stage for the development of an internationally binding legal instrument to regulate modern biotechnology activities

Convention on Biological Diversity [II]

• COP Decision II/5 – Development of a Protocol on Biosafety

[focusing on transboundary movement of any living modified organism resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, setting out for consideration, in particular, appropriate procedures for advance informed agreement]

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Embrace Benefits Ensure adequate safety

A balanced approach toward Biotech

Objectives of the Cartagena Protocol

Objectives:

Protection of biodiversity and human health

Focus:

Transboundary movements of LMOs

Article 2 of the Biosafety Protocol:

“………Each Party shall take necessary and appropriate legal, administrative and other measures to implement its obligations under this Protocol…….”

The Protocol Architecture

Objective

BCH, Capacity Building, Compliance, Liability

SUPPORTING MECHANISMS

Risk Assessment

Risk Management

Info Sharing

• AIA Procedure

• Procedure for FFP

Handling, transport (prevent

risk to biodiversity)

packaging Identification

•documentation for shipment

Precautionary Approach

Objective:

Assist countries to prepare for the entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

(Entered into force 11th September 2003)

(To date 141 parties – Gabon on 2nd May 2007, check www.cbd.int)

GEF Initial Strategy on BiosafetyGEF Initial Strategy on Biosafety(Capacity building)(Capacity building)

GEF Initial Strategy on BiosafetyGEF Initial Strategy on Biosafety

Activities

• A global project to assist countries in developing national biosafety frameworks

• Limited number of demonstration projects to assist in implementing national biosafety frameworks

• Coordination with other organizations

• Support participation in the BCH

• Enhance scientific and technical advice to GEF on biosafety issues.

National Biosafety Frameworks (NBFs)

NBFs vary from country to country, but usually have a number of common components:

1. Government policy on biosafety2. Regulatory regime for biosafety3. System to handle notifications/requests for

permits4. Systems for ‘follow up’: enforcement and

monitoring for environmental effects5. Systems for public information, public

awareness and public participation

UNEP-GEF Biosafety Projects

3. Implementation Projects

… … 8 demonstration 8 demonstration projects (out of 12) on projects (out of 12) on Implementation of NBFImplementation of NBFNew Implementation New Implementation Projects – 11 presently (4 Projects – 11 presently (4 in Africa)in Africa)More from development More from development projectsprojects

1. Development of NBFs

2. BCH Project

124 countries developing 124 countries developing an NBFan NBF

……Up to 139 countries to Up to 139 countries to help use and access BCHhelp use and access BCH

Development of NBFs :pilot enabling activities in 18 countriesDevelopment of NBFs :pilot enabling activities in 18 countries

Countries: Bulgaria, Cameroon, China, Cuba, Kenya, Namibia, Poland, Uganda

All 8 countries were originally supported by UNEP-GEF in GEF Pilot phase

All started in September 2002 Duration: 3 years (ended) Budget: Average of (US) $0.75M

UNEP Implementation Projects: Statistics

At end of project, countries will have:

Ability to make science-based decisions on LMOs/GMOs

Laws enacted to meet institutional and administrative requirements

Interim measures in place, where necessary

Biosafety integrated into national plans and strategies (policies)

Increased human and material resource capacities

UNEP Implementation Projects: Outcomes

At end of project, countries will have: Enhanced capacities in laboratory facilities Increased public awareness Greater coordination among relevant

stakeholders NBF consistent with CPB and other

international obligations Sustained capacity for operations

UNEP Implementation Projects: Outcomes

Project Management

Our Target

• Achieve the Project Goal…….NBF ImplementationAchieve the Project Goal…….NBF Implementation

• Disseminate recommendations and best practices Disseminate recommendations and best practices for replication ……build capacities for replication ……build capacities

Responsibilities

• UNEP-GEF – Implementing Agency UNEP-GEF – Implementing Agency

• National Executing AgencyNational Executing Agency

• National Project Coordinator/Project AssistantNational Project Coordinator/Project Assistant

UNEP - GEF

• Overall project supervision (GEF and UNEP policies and procedures)

• Monitoring the implementation of activities

• Clearance and transmission of financial and progress reports

• Facilitation of funding

Fund Management

Project PlanningProject PlanningProject Budgeting - AnnualProject Budgeting - AnnualProject Reporting – Progress & Project Reporting – Progress &

Financial Reporting (Quarterly)Financial Reporting (Quarterly)Cash Advances – Quarterly (within 30 Cash Advances – Quarterly (within 30

days of each quarter ie. March, June, days of each quarter ie. March, June, September & December)September & December)

The UNEP Budget Structure

10. Project Personnel Component10. Project Personnel Component20. Sub Contract Component20. Sub Contract Component30. Training Component30. Training Component40. Equipment & Premises Component40. Equipment & Premises Component50. Miscellaneous Component50. Miscellaneous Component

The UNEP project budget is split into 5 The UNEP project budget is split into 5 groups:groups:

UNEP/GEF Project Reports

NameNameReport TypeReport Type PeriodicityPeriodicity

Management Reports

Management Reports

Progress Progress

Terminal Report

Terminal Report

InventoriesInventoriesQuarterlyQuarterly

End of ProjectEnd of ProjectQuarterlyQuarterly

Financial Reports

Expenditure

Cash Adv. statement

Audit report

Quarterly / End ProjectQuarterly

Annually

Co-financing Bi-annually

Other Management Issues

• Anubis - Project Management Tool

• Anubis.unep.ch

• Annual NPC meeting for experience sharing & coordination

• Mid Term & Final Evaluation (Part of a costed monitoring & evaluation plan)

• UNEP’s Technical support

Subregional Activities

• West Asia & North Africa (WANA) Project • Focused on Biotechnology & Biosafety• A Joint Effort b/n UNEP, FAO, ICARDA & Partner countries,

Regional Banks & Development agencies, Regional Institutions (Arab League, UNEP-ROWA etc)

• Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Mauritania, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen & Partner countries (Oman, Kuwait & Saudi Arabia)

• Objective – To facilitate biotechnology and biosafety capacity building in WANA

• Outcomes – Regional cooperative measures/systems for the safe use and development of modern biotechnology

• Joint consultation – Aleppo Syria (2 participants per country – Biotechnology & biosafety experts)

Enhancing public awarenessContinuous ‘updating’ of policy makersCoherent monitoring & evaluation

measures

Movement of staff from project

Harmonization with internat’l obligations

Active public participation in decision- making

Challenges at national level

Fully operational NBF Harmonized with existing laws Consistent with Cartagena Protocol Supported by implementing Resolutions

Administrative structure established

Sustained implementation

Milestones (end of project)

Sustainability & OpportunitiesSustainability & Opportunities

How will biosafety be sustained?

What mechanisms have been set-up? (administrative, financial, technical)

Are these adequate?

What else needs to be done & how?

Contacts

Alex Owusu-BineyRegional Coordinator, BiosafetyUNEP/GEF Biosafety UnitP. O. Box 30552Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 7624066Fax: +254 20 7624041/42Email: Alex.Owusu-Biney@unep.orghttp://www.unep.ch/biosafety

THANK YOU