BS-IV/13. Subsidiary bodies

The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety,

Recalling its decision BS-III/13, paragraph 2,

Noting the note by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/COP-MOP/4/12), which identifies potential mechanisms for the provision of scientific and technical advice and the estimated costs associated with each such potential mechanism,

Recognizing the need for adequate and timely scientific and technical advice to facilitate the effective implementation of the Protocol,

Recognizing also the financial implications of potential mechanisms for the provision of scientific and technical advice,

Considering the possibility of seeking and utilizing, by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol, the services and cooperation of, and information provided by, competent bodies in accordance with paragraph 4(c) of Article 29 of the Protocol,

1. Decides to establish, as necessary, ad hoc technical expert groups, with specific mandates to address one or more scientific and technical issues as the need arises, and to make recommendations to the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol;

2. Agrees to consider, at its sixth meeting, the need to establish an open-ended subsidiary body for scientific and technical advice under the Protocol.