Handling, packaging, transport and identification
The Intergovernmental Committee on the Cartagena Protocol,
I. Paragraphs 2(b) and 2(c) of Article 18
Welcoming the report and recommendations of the Meeting of Technical Experts on Handling, Packaging, Transport and Identification of Living Modified Organisms, held in Paris, from 13 to 15 June 2001,
Recognizing the pressing need for financial assistance for developing countries, in particular least developed and small island developing states among them, and countries with economies in transition, in implementing paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c) of Article 18,
1. Invites the Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods of the United Nations, the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Codex Alimentarius Commission and other relevant international organizations to provide advice, in writing to the Executive Secretary, on their ability to assist Parties to meet the requirements of Article 18 of the Biosafety Protocol, and on their capacity to adjust their systems should adjustment be necessary;
2. Requests the Executive Secretary, subject to the necessary financial resources being made available, to convene a meeting of government-nominated technical experts in handling, transport, packaging and identification, taking into account the need for regional representation, transparency, equity and the need for cooperation with relevant international organizations, to consider and make recommendations on the modalities of information recommended by the meeting of technical experts on Article 18, paragraphs 2 (b) and 2 (c), held in Paris, from 13 to 15 June 2001, for:
(a) Documentation accompanying living modified organisms destined for contained use;
(b) Documentation accompanying living modified organisms intended for intentional introduction into the environment;
(c) Linkages to paragraph 3 of Article 18.
3. Requests the Executive Secretary to develop a model template that could be used as a stand-alone template tailored on existing systems, or be integrated into existing international documentation, to be considered as a basis for discussion by the meeting of technical experts referred to in paragraph 2 above;
II. Paragraph 2(a) of Article 18 :
Having identified a set of elements in each of the first and second sentences of paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18 that need to be addressed in a timely manner,
Acknowledging the importance of appropriate implementation of the first sentence of paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18 at the time of entry into force of the Protocol, and the second sentence within two years of entry into force,
Recognizing the pressing need for financial assistance for developing countries, in particular least developed and small island developing states among them, and countries with economies in transition, in implementing paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18,
Noting the complexity of the issues involved and the usefulness of further technical clarifications;
4. Requests Parties, Governments and relevant international organizations to provide any views as well as relevant information to the Executive Secretary regarding:
(a) The appropriate implementation of the requirement contained in the first sentence of Article 18, paragraph 2 (a), by the time of entry into force of the Protocol;
(b) The requirements of each element of paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18 of the Protocol;
5. Requests the Executive Secretary to:
(a) Prepare a synthesis report of the views submitted in accordance with paragraph 4 above, with a view to making the report and the original submissions available prior to the meeting that would be convened in accordance with subparagraph (b) below;
(b) Convene, depending on the availability of appropriate financial resources, a meeting of technical experts with broad expertise covering all relevant aspects and disciplines for the implementation of Article 18 paragraph 2(a), taking into account the need for balanced regional representation, taking also into account the need for transparency and a stepwise approach:
(i) First, to consider the modalities, prior to entry into force, of the implementation of the requirement contained in the first sentence of paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18 of the Protocol;
(ii) And then to consider the identification of issues to be addressed beyond entry into force, in preparation for the decision referred to in paragraph 2 (a) of Article 18;
and to submit recommendations to the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties;
(c) Convene such a meeting back to back after any technical expert meeting on the continuation of the work on Article 18, paragraphs 2 (b) and 2(c), should such a meeting be convened.
