UNU-IAS is pleased to present the final report of the Global Assessment
?Internationally Funded Training in Biosafety and Biotechnology ? Is it
Bridging the Biotech Divide?. The purpose of this Assessment, undertaken by
UNU-IAS from 2004 - 2007, was to provide a neutral, independent and
objective assessment of the various internationally funded training
programmes for biosafety and biotechnology, especially to the extent that it
is necessary for biosafety, in the developing world.

This Assessment does not advocate the use, or avoidance, of modern
biotechnology. Rather it seeks to examine whether capacity building
activities are delivering to developing countries the capacity to make and
implement choices about biosafety and biotechnology.

The Assessment was undertaken through a review of the available literature,
country visits to the Philippines, Uganda, Bangladesh and Cameroon,
interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and participation in several
international meetings. The Assessment has benefited from the guidance of an
Advisory Committee of senior experts. It has also benefited from the
generous participation of numerous stakeholders who have provided
information, views and comments on the Assessment. The Assessment also drew
upon other assessments and evaluations of biosafety capacity needs, such as
those undertaken by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
Diversity.

The Assessment sought to make broad observations about what the overall
levels of existing capacity in the developing world mean for the direction
of biotechnology and the international biosafety system, as much as to
examine detailed questions about the challenges and successes of capacity
building implementation. The Assessment sought also to identify what could
be done to address the gaps and problems with capacity building in
biotechnology and biosafety.

The Assessment observes that the use and prevalence of biotechnology seems
certain to increase, including in agriculture. The widespread ratification
of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) demonstrates the desire for
biosafety measures to go hand in hand with the development of biotechnology.
Effective regulation cannot be developed without general technical, policy
and enforcement capacities. The need for developing the capacities necessary
for effective implementation of the CPB has been emphasised by all
stakeholder groups both prior to and since the Protocol?s entry into force.

The Protocol has provided a focus and catalyst for the various
capacity-building initiatives, as well as the forum for the most
comprehensive effort to identify, prioritize and coordinate
capacity-building needs and activities in the field of biosafety and
biotechnology. The Protocol has also catalyzed other efforts, most
significantly the UNEP-GEF Biosafety Projects. These, along with many other
initiatives, identify the Protocol as both a rationale and a framework for
the delivery of capacity building.

This Assessment has, however, found that there remains a significant lack of
capacity in many developing countries. In all probability the majority of
developing countries, perhaps as many as 100, including most countries of
Africa, Central Asia, Oceania and the Caribbean, are unable to manage modern
biotechnology and implement their National Biosafety Frameworks. Indeed, the
capacity deficiencies are so pervasive and broad that there is no effective
international system of biosafety at the moment. In addition, the volume of
resources available to address these needs in the coming years appears
insufficient to provide the necessary support for countries to implement
their basic obligations under the CPB.

At COP-MOP4, UNU-IAS is to hold a side event to introduce the findings of
the report to delegates and other stakeholders, and to encourage discussion
among stakeholders ? particularly donors, implementing agencies and
recipient countries - on the trends identified and issues raised by the
report.

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