CBD Convention on Biological Diversity [to 21 November 2015]
http://www.cbd.int/press-releases/

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Science body of biodiversity convention paves way for further implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
Montreal, 9 November 2015 – Governments at an international biodiversity science meeting have agreed on a set of actions for the further implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

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The report of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology is now available.
2015-11-10 :: 19 pages
Excerpt
ITEM 4. CONCLUSIONS AND WAYS FORWARD, INCLUDING ELEMENTS TO FACILITATE FUTURE DISCUSSIONS AND ACTIONS ON SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY UNDER THE CONVENTION
66. Reaffirming decision XII/24, in which the Conference of the Parties urged Parties and invited other Governments to take a precautionary approach in accordance with paragraph4 of decision XI/11, and having deliberated on the tasks mandated by the Conference of the Parties, the AHTEG makes the following proposals on the ways forward for future actions on synthetic biology for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice in formulating its recommendations to the Conference of the Parties:

.(a) Consider the adoption of the operational definition of synthetic biology: “synthetic biology is a further development and new dimension of modern biotechnology that combines science, technology and engineering to facilitate and accelerate the understanding, design, redesign, manufacture and/or modification of genetic materials, living organisms and biological systems”;

(b) Take note of the conclusion of the AHTEG that living organisms developed through current and near future applications of synthetic biology are similar to LMOs as defined in the Cartagena Protocol;

(c) Establish a process to monitor and assess the state of knowledge within the field of
of synthetic biology vis-à-vis the three objectives of the Convention, and update the proposed operational definition as appropriate;

(d) Urge Parties to address synthetic biology in a coordinated manner within the context of the objectives of the Convention and its Protocols, particularly by tapping into existing processes, such as the AHTEG on Risk Assessment and Risk Management and the AHTEG on Socio-economic Considerations under the Cartagena Protocol;

(e) Coordinate and establish synergies with other United Nations and international organizations, whose mandates are relevant to synthetic biology, such as the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, including its Committee on World Food Security and Codex Alimentarius, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Technology Facilitation Mechanism of the United Nations;

(f) Create or expand existing online platforms to facilitate knowledge and information sharing on risk assessment research, positive and negative impacts of synthetic biology through, among other things, the Biosafety-Clearing House or the clearing-house mechanism;

(g) Promote the use of online tools to facilitate work on synthetic biology in the context of the Convention and its Protocols;

(h) Promote capacity-building and encourage cooperation among Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations;

(i) Invite the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol to set up mechanisms for clarifying the issue of digital genetic resource information as it relates to access and benefit-sharing;

(j) Assess potential gaps in oversight under the Convention and its Protocols with regard to components and products of synthetic biology;

(k) Urge the Convention to promote the full engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities in future activities relating to synthetic biology;

(l) Promote engagement among Parties, other Governments and relevant stakeholders to discuss, among other things, the potential benefits and potential adverse effects of synthetic biology, the development of guidelines, public awareness, communication and education, and ethical considerations…