Support to the Implementation of the National Biosafety Framework

The overall objectives of this demonstration project on biosafety is to provide support to strengthen capacity building for the implementation of national biosafety framework in compliance with the obligations of the Cartagena Protocol. Four areas of capacity building needs were identified through the first phase pilot project on biosafety:1) strengthening the institutions serving as centers of excellence/expertise and reference laboratories for LMOs monitoring, 2) training, 3) increase in public awareness on GMO matters, including media and NGOs, 4) development of information resources. Specific objectives are as follows: a) support the national infrastructure needed for LMOs risk assessment and monitoring; b) strengthen capacity building by training trainers, particularly in the areas of: risk assessment and risk management testing and monitoring legal issues: intellectual Property Rights and commercial issues institutional set ups; c) Strengthen information system and enhance public awareness, including media and NGO.