PROJECT INCEPTION WORKSHOP on BIOSAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT OF EGYPT 9 – 10 July 2007

1. PROJECT INCEPTION WORKSHOP on BIOSAFETY IMPLEMENTATION PROJECT OF EGYPT 9 – 10 July 2007

2. Convention on Biological Diversity • One of the major outcome of the Earth Summit in Rio (5 June 1992) • Focuses on • Conservation of Biological Diversity • Sustainable use of natural resources • 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

3. 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]

4. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Embrace BenefitsEnsure adequate safety A balanced approach toward Biotech

5. Objectives of the Cartagena Protocol Objectives: Protection of biodiversity and human health Focus: Transboundary movements of LMOs

6. 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…….”

7. The Protocol Architecture Objective Precautionary Approach • AIA Procedure • Procedure for FFP Handling, transport (prevent risk to biodiversity) packaging Identification • documentation for shipment Risk Assessment Risk Management Info Sharing SUPPORTING MECHANISMS BCH, Capacity Building, Compliance, Liability

8. GEF Initial Strategy on Biosafety (Capacity building) 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)

9. GEF 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.

10. National Biosafety Frameworks (NBFs) NBFs vary from country to country, but usually have a number of common components: • Government policy on biosafety • Regulatory regime for biosafety • System to handle notifications/requests for permits • Systems for ‘follow up’: enforcement and monitoring for environmental effects • Systems for public information, public awareness and public participation

11. UNEP-GEF Biosafety Projects Development of NBFs :pilot enabling activities in 18 countries • 3. Implementation Projects • … 8 demonstration projects (out of 12) on Implementation of NBF • New Implementation Projects – 11 presently (4 in Africa) • More from development projects 1. Development of NBFs 124 countries developing an NBF 2. BCH Project …Up to 139 countries to help use and access BCH

12. UNEP Implementation Projects: Statistics •  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

13. UNEP Implementation Projects: Outcomes • 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

14. 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

15. Project Management

16. Our Target • Achieve the Project Goal…….NBF Implementation • Disseminate recommendations and best practices for replication ……build capacities

17. Responsibilities • UNEP-GEF – Implementing Agency • National Executing Agency • National Project Coordinator/Project Assistant

18. 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

19. Fund Management • Project Planning • Project Budgeting - Annual • Project Reporting – Progress & Financial Reporting (Quarterly) • Cash Advances – Quarterly (within 30 days of each quarter ie. March, June, September & December)

20. The UNEP Budget Structure 10. Project Personnel Component 20. Sub Contract Component 30. Training Component 40. Equipment & Premises Component 50. Miscellaneous Component The UNEP project budget is split into 5 groups:

21. UNEP/GEF Project Reports Report Type Name Periodicity Management Reports Progress Quarterly Inventories Quarterly Terminal Report End of Project Financial Reports Expenditure Quarterly / End Project Quarterly Cash Adv. statement Annually Audit report Co-financing Bi-annually

22. 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

23. 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)

24. Challenges at national level • Enhancingpublic awareness • Continuous ‘updating’ of policy makers • Coherent monitoring & evaluation measures •  Movement of staff from project •  Harmonization with internat’l obligations •  Active public participation in decision- making

25. Milestones (end of project) •  Fully operational NBF  Harmonized with existing laws Consistent with Cartagena Protocol Supported by implementing Resolutions •  Administrative structure established •  Sustained implementation

26. Sustainability & 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?

27. Contacts Alex Owusu-Biney Regional Coordinator, 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.ch/biosafety

28. THANK YOU