An Overview of the UNEP-GEF

Biosafety Portfolio

Nairobi, Kenya 15 – 18th September 2016

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Embrace Benefits Ensure adequate safety

A balanced approach toward Modern Biotechnology

Guided by the UNEP PoW/ GEF BD Focal Area Strategy as a Thematic Program, and

the

SCBD Strategy on Biosafety – 2011 – 2020

Objective(s)

To assist Eligible parties through institutional strengthening and

training in the implementation of the draft fine NBF in line

with its obligations and to ensure compliance to the Cartagena Protocol

on Biosafety

To develop measures to facilitate national biosafety decision

making

Programme Guidance

Capacity Building to support a UNEP

administered MEA/UNEP PoW

Focus on Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety – The SCBD BS Strategy

2011 – 2020 and COP/MOP Guidance

The GEF Strategy on Biosafety

Milestones in the Biosafety

Framework processes

Pilot Project for 18 Countries

NBF Develo`pment

Project (Global) – 123 out of 130

Demonstration Projects (12 Countries,

UNEP 8, WB – 2, UNDP 2)

Implementation Projects

(National/Regional ongoing –

about 60+ supported)

Thematic and issue specific –

ongoing to strengthen

NBFs

Support to the National Biosafety

Reporting Processes (2nd & 3 National Reports)

Key Components of an NBF

A National Biosafety Policy

A Regulatory Regime :

Legislation, laws, acts, regulations, decrees, or guidelines

A System for handling applications and requests

including Decision

Systems

Mechanisms for public awareness, education and participation in decision making on GMOs

Systems for follow up, including:

Monitoring;

Inspections

Enforcement to ensure compliance

Offences and Penalties

UNEP Biosafety Portfolio [I]

Implementation Projects

(National vs. Regional)

Thematic Projects

(Global or Regional)

National Reporting

Projects (129 Parties) – 3rd

Cycle

Development Project – Case by Case

Coordinated from UNEP HQ - Nairobi

UNEP Biosafety Portfolio [II]

iv. Central and Eastern

Europe – coordinated from Geneva

i. Africa – coordinated from Nairobi

ii. Asia-Pacific –

coordinated from

Bangkok

iii. Latin America and Caribbean – coordinated

from Panama

Case by Case support to non-GEF Eligible Parties

Implementation of NBF for remaining countries

i. Assessed in the stock-taking analysis recommend a national approach

ii. Support to Regional or sub-regional projects based on cost effective sharing resources and coordination between biosafety frameworks

iii. Stocktaking assessments should support potential for: coordinating biosafety frameworks, interchange of regional expertise, and capacity building

of common priority or thematic areas

Core Program 5: Biosafety

The GEF will support a number of thematic projects addressing some of the specific

provisions of the Cartagena Protocol. These projects should be developed at the regional or sub-regional level and be built on a common set

of targets and opportunities to implement the protocol beyond the development and

implementation of NBFs.

The GEF will support the ratification and implementation of the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur

Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the CPB.

Core Program 6: Biosafety

Network of Laboratories

Detect and alert relevant authorities about unauthorized LMOs and unintentional releases

Border officers &

field inspectors

Detection labs

Competent National

Authorities

Civil society

Laws &

Regulations

Network of Laboratories

Technical Tools and Guidance

for the Detection and

Identification of LMOs http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_detection/toolsandguidance.sht

ml

Portal for the Sampling,

Detection and

Identification of LMOs http://bch.cbd.int/protocol/cpb_detection.shtml

Network of Laboratories

Open to all interested participants from LMO detection laboratories They must be registered in the Network in order to contribute to the online discussions

http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/portal_detection/info_participants.shtml

Constraints & Processes

Institutional Support – Program/Fund,

challenges, Institutional tools, High Level

engagements in the GEF/national Processes

Resource Allocation (STAR) – Indicative

allocation vs. Actual endorsements

Creating room for development, promotion,

partnerships and learning

TEAMS WITH DISTINCT ROLES

Codifying trends/best practices and engaging in new science

(Biosecurity (risk analysis based approaches, monitoring etc)

Fine Turning of Processes –

Database, shared resources, use of IT tools, institutional funding support

Focus & Interventions Provided

Regional/Multi country NBF or Issue specific/thematic

interventions (global/regional/national)

Eg. SANGL, Biosecurity (Cameroon), BCH,

Assessments, Monitoring

Best Practices/Lessons Learnt

ANUBIS ADMIN/BS WEB SUPPORT/REGIONAL COORDINATION TRAINING

Intra - Institutional

Support – BS, ABS,

Peer Review

Inter- Institutional Support –

SCBD liaison Group, OECD

WB/TF, FAO, UN AGENCIES,

REGIONAL BODIES

Recommendations

Explore potential for harmonisation of technical procedures with room

for reviews/updates

Specific or thematic interventions which would strengthen Decision

making processes

Partnerships, mentoring and Leadership to support

national/regional biosafety systems

Recommendations

Enhanced capacity to facilitate handling of LMOs including Risk Assessment and Risk Management, LMO

Detection, Handling, Packaging, Transport and Identification, Monitoring and Enforcement including

inspection procedures

Socio economic consideration guidance/ratification & implementation of the Liability and redress Protocol

Translation of BS Strategy 2011 – 2020 and the Action Plan on Capacity Building – to national strategies

Our Target(s)

Achieve the Project Goal…….Biosafety Frameworks developed are translated into functional frameworks through party driven strategic capacity building interventions

Disseminate recommendations, best practices and feedback for replication ……build capacities

Contacts

Alex Owusu-Biney

Portfolio Manager, Biosafety

UNEP/GEF Biosafety Unit

P. O. Box 30552

Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: +254 20 7624066

Fax: +254 20 7624041/42

Email: Alex.Owusu-Biney@unep.org

http://www.unep.org/biosafety

Asante Sana