RESTRICTED
WORLD TRADE WT/CTE/W/18
12January 1996
ORGANIZATION (96-0092)
Committee onTrade andEnvironment
CONVENTION ONBIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Note bytheSecretariat
1. TheSecond Conference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity washeldin
Jakarta from 6to17November 1995. TheConference adopted twenty-three Decisions (see
UNEP/CBD/COP/2/19), ofwhich theWTO wasmentioned inone,i.e.Decision II/12on"Intellectual
Property Rights" (seeAnnex). TheAnnex tothisNoteprovides thetextsofcertain Decisions which
arelikely tobeofparticular interest totheMembers oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment,
inview oftheir statements atthemeeting oftheCommittee on21June1995 when theissue of
environment andTRIPs wasdiscussed.1
2. TheConference oftheParties alsodecided themain issues tobeconsidered initswork
programme for1996and1997. For1996, theworkprogramme oftheConference oftheParties includes
aconsideration of,interalia,access togenetic resources andissues related totechnology ("toconsider
thecompilation ofviews ofParties onpossible options fordeveloping national legislative, administrative
orpolicy measures, asappropriate, toimplement Article 15,[and] toconsider ways topromote and
facilitate access toandtransfer anddevelopment oftechnology, asenvisaged inArticles 16and18
oftheConvention"). For1997, thework programme oftheConference oftheParties includes a
consideration of,interalia,technical andscientific cooperation, andconsideration ofmatters related
tobenefit-sharing ("toconsider measures topromote andadvance thedistribution ofbenefits from
biotechnology inaccordance withArticle 19").
3. Thethirdmeeting oftheConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity
willtakeplace inBuenos Aires from 4to15November 1996.
1Other Decisions oftheConference oftheParties include: Report oftheFirstMeeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical
andTechnological Advice (Decision II/1); Financial Resources andMechanism (Decision II/6); Preliminary Consideration ofComponents
ofBiological Diversity Particularly Under Threat andAction Which Could BeTaken Under theConvention (Decision II/8); Forests and
BiologicalDiversity(DecisionII/9);ConservationandSustainableUseofMarineandCoastalBiologicalDiversity(DecisionII/10);Cooperation
WithOther Biodiversity-Related Conventions (Decision II/13); Convening ofanOpen-Ended Intergovernmental Workshop onCooperation
Between theConvention onBiological Diversity andOther International Conventions onRelated Issues (Decision II/14); FAOGlobal System
ForPlant Genetic Resources ForFood AndAgriculture (Decision II/15); Statement totheInternational Technical Conference Onthe
Conservation andUtilization ofPlant Genetic Resources ForFood andAgriculture (Decision II/16); Medium-Term Programme ofWork
oftheConference oftheParties for1996-97 (Decision II/18); Convening ofRegional andSub-Regional Meetings forParties totheConvention
(Decision II/22).WT/CTE/W/18
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ANNEX
Texts ofcertain Decisions taken bytheConference oftheParties to
theConvention onBiological Diversity
Decision II/2:Publication andDistribution ofScientific andTechnical Information
TheConference oftheParties,
Noting theimportance ofscientific andtechnical work being undertaken byother international and
intergovernmental organizations tothemedium-term programme ofwork;
Aware thatsuchinputs havealready contributed toadvancing thework oftheSubsidiary Body on
Scientific, Technical andTechnological Advice;
Requests theExecutive Secretary, inconsultation withtheBureau oftheSubsidiary Body, toidentify
andmobilize, forpublication anddistribution, scientific andtechnical information ofrelevance tothe
medium-term programme ofwork recognizing thelimitations ofthebudget.
Decision II/3:Clearing-House Mechanism
TheConference oftheParties,
1. TakesnoteofthedocumentpreparedbytheSecretariatontheestablishmentoftheclearing-house
mechanism topromote andfacilitate technical andscientific cooperation (document
UNEP/CBD/COP/2/6);
2. Notes thatmany information systems andactivities relevant totheobjectives oftheConvention
havebeenandarebeing established atinternational, subregional, regional andnational levels;
3. Notes thattheenhanced cooperation between these information systems andactivities will
contribute tocapacity-building, andnotes that,inthiscontext, theroleoftheSecretariat is
topromote andfacilitate access tothisclearing-house mechanism;
4. Decides ,asacontribution totheimplementation oftheobjectives oftheConvention, thatthe
clearing-house mechanism, established bydecision I/3adopted atitsfirstmeeting inaccordance
witharticle 18,paragraph 3oftheConvention, should bedeveloped:
(a) Starting withapilotphase for1996-1997;
(b) Through specific andfocused areasofactivities related tothepromotion ofinternational
technical andscientific cooperation;
(c) Bygradually building upitsfunctions inresponse toclearandidentified demand based
onexperience gained andresources available;
(d) Inaneutral, transparent cost-effective, efficient andaccessible manner;
(e) Asadecentralized mechanism using suchresources asprint andelectronic media,
including theInternet;WT/CTE/W/18
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(f) Bymaking fulluseofexisting facilities, which willavoid anyduplication oroverlap
activities andallow fortheearly implementation ofthemechanism;
(g) Inclose cooperation withrelevant international organizations andentities asactive
partners intheclearing-house mechanism tomaximize theexisting experience and
expertise;
(h) Byenhancing networking between existing national, regional, subregional and
internationalcentresofrelevantexpertise,aswellasgovernmentalandnon-governmental
institutions andtheprivate sector;
5. Decides alsothat,during thepilotphase for1996-1997, theSecretariat should actasafocal
point andshould:
(a) Encourage thedevelopment ofanetwork ofactive partners, suchasthose specified
in4(h). These partners should focus initially on:
(i) developing national capabilities through exchanging anddisseminating
information ontheexperiences andlessons learned byParties onthe
implementationoftheConvention.Thiscanbedonethroughguidelines,training
programmes, seminars, workshops, where appropriate, anduponrequest, and
byusing theclearing-house mechanism;
(ii) facilitating access toanddissemination ofresearch relevant totheobjectives
oftheConvention;
(iii) facilitating thetransfer oftechnology through exchanging anddisseminating
information onexperiences andtechnologies relevant totheconservation and
sustainable useofbiological diversity;
(b) Provide information onandfacilitate access tothese operating active partners;
(c) Support theactive partners todevelop specific training fortheeffective participation
ofusers intheclearing-house network;
6. (a) Decides alsotoprovide funding forthepilot phase through thebudget ofthe
Convention;
(b) Callsalsoupontheinternational community tomake additional voluntary contributions
fortheimplementation ofthepilotphase;
7. Takes noteofthedesignation byParties oftheirnational focal point fortheclearing-house
mechanism (document UNEP/CBD/COP/2/Inf.5) andcallsuponthosewhohavenotdesignated
theirfocalpoint todoso,where appropriate, assoonaspossible, andnolaterthanFebruary
1996;
8. Invites allrelevant international, regional, subregional andnational organizations andentities
willing tooffer their cooperation asactive partners intheoperation oftheclearing-house
mechanism tocommunicate thedetails oftheirofferandrequests theExecutive Secretary of
theSecretariat toenter intocollaborative arrangements andtoreport toitsthirdmeeting on
theresults ofsucharrangements;WT/CTE/W/18
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9. Requests theGlobal Environment Facility toexplore themodalities ofproviding support through
thefinancial mechanism todeveloping country Parties forcapacity-building inrelation tothe
operation oftheclearing-house mechanism andreport totheConference oftheParties atits
thirdmeeting;
10. Decides toreview theimplementation ofthepilotphase oftheclearing-house mechanism at
itsthirdmeeting andrequests theExecutive Secretary tosubmit aprogress report;
11. Decides alsotoreview theimplementation ofthepilotphase atitsfourth meeting andrequests
theSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice toprovide scientific
andtechnical advice.
Decision II/4:Ways andMeans toPromote andFacilitate Access to,
andTransfer andDevelopment ofTechnology
TheConference oftheParties,
1. Takes noteofrecommendation I/4onways andmeans topromote andfacilitate access to,and
transfer anddevelopment oftechnology asenvisaged inArticles 16and18oftheConvention,
adopted bythefirstmeeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological
Advice, heldinParis, attheheadquarters oftheUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization, from 4to8September 1995;
2. Endorses paragraph 1(d)ofrecommendation I/4,requesting theExecutive Secretary toprepare,
forconsideration bytheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice
atitssecond meeting, asubstantive andwell-focused background document, taking intoaccount
theviews expressed byStates Parties andobservers during thefirstmeeting oftheSubsidiary
Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice, thefirstandsecond meetings ofthe
Conference oftheParties, including those decisions related totheclearing-house mechanism,
andthedeliberations ofthefirstandsecond sessions oftheIntergovernmental Committee on
theConvention onBiological Diversity, andoftheopen-ended Intergovernmental Meeting
ofScientificExpertsonBiologicalDiversity,heldinMexicoinApril1994,includingitsannexed
UNEP Expert Panel Reports ItoIV.Such abackground document should consider the
importance ofbiotechnology totheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity,
especially todeveloping countries, aswellastheenabling rolesofcapacity-building andthe
provision ofadequate financial resources;
3. Endorses alsoparagraph 1(e)ofrecommendation I/4,requesting theExecutive Secretary to
invite relevant submissions byStates Parties, observers andrelevant international andnon-
governmental organizations, including, inparticular, theCommission onSustainable
Development andtheprivate sector andtotakethese intoaccount inthepreparation ofthe
background document. Thedocument should alsotakeduecognisance ofregional and
subregional inputs andcomments. Thebackground document should identify keypriority issues
relating toopportunities forandobstacles tothetransfer oftechnology forconsideration by
theSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice;
4. Requests thesecond meeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological
Advice tosubmit adetailed report tothethirdmeeting oftheConference oftheParties.WT/CTE/W/18
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Decision II/5:Consideration oftheNeed forandModalities ofaProtocol fortheSafeTransfer,
Handling andUseofLiving Modified Organisms
TheConference oftheParties,
1. Recalling Article 19,paragraph 3,oftheConvention onBiological Diversity,
2. Recognizing thelinkbetween paragraphs 3and4ofArticle 19,
3. Recognizing alsothelinkbetween Articles 8(g)and19,paragraph 3,
4. Recalling itsdecision I/9made atitsfirstmeeting, heldinNassau, Bahamas, from
28November to9December 1994,
5. Having considered thereport andrecommendations prepared foritssecond meeting bythe
Open-ended AdHocGroup ofExperts onBiosafety, which metinMadrid from
24-28 July1995,
6. Recognizing thatmodern biotechnology hasgreat potential forhuman well-being if
developed andusedwithadequate safety measures fortheenvironment andhuman health,
7. Recognizing alsothat,although considerable knowledge hasaccumulated, significant gaps
inknowledge havebeenidentified, specifically inthefieldofinteraction between living
modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology andtheenvironment,
taking intoaccount therelatively short period ofexperience withreleases ofsuch
organisms, therelatively small number ofspecies andtraits used, andthelackof
experience intherange ofenvironments, specifically those incentres oforigin andgenetic
diversity,
8. Noting thatthere isaneedforfurther analysis ofexisting national, regional and
international regulations andlegally binding instruments ofrelevance totheimpact of
LMOs ontheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity,
9. Affirming thatinternational action onbiosafety should offer anefficient andeffective
framework forthedevelopment ofinternational cooperation aimed atensuring safety in
biotechnology through effective riskassessment andriskmanagement forthetransfer,
handling anduseofanyLMO resulting from modern biotechnology thatmayhaveadverse
environmental impacts thatcould affect theconservation andsustainable useofbiological
diversity, taking intoaccount theriskstohuman health, andtaking alsointoaccount
Articles 8(g)and19,paragraph 4oftheConvention,
10. Considering that,although there areexisting international agreements ofrelevance tothe
impact ofLMOs resulting from modern biotechnology thatmayhaveadverse effect onthe
conservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity, noneofthese specifically address
thetransboundary movements ofsuchLMOs, andtherefore there isanurgent needtogive
attention tothisissue,
11. Taking intoaccount thatthelarge majority ofdelegations present atthemeeting ofthe
Open-ended AdHocGroup ofExperts onBiosafety favoured thedevelopment within the
context ofaninternational framework forsafety inbiotechnology ofaprotocol on
biosafety under theConvention onBiological Diversity,WT/CTE/W/18
Page6
12. Stressing theimportance oftheurgent finalization oftheUnited Nations Environment
Programme International Technical Guidelines onSafety inBiotechnology andthatthis
could contribute tothedevelopment andimplementation ofaprotocol onbiosafety, but
noting thatthisdoesnotprejudice thedevelopment andconclusion ofsuchaprotocol,
13. Noting thatguidelines onbiosafety, including theproposed United Nations Environment
Programme International Technical Guidelines onSafety inBiotechnology, maybeusedas
aninterim mechanism during thedevelopment oftheprotocol andtocomplement itafter
itscompletion, forthepurposes offacilitating thedevelopment ofnational capacities to
assess andmanage risks, establish adequate information systems anddevelop expert
human resources inbiotechnology,
1. Decides toseeksolution totheabove-mentioned concerns through anegotiation
process todevelop inthefieldofthesafetransfer, handling anduseofliving
modified organisms, aprotocol onbiosafety, specifically focusing on
transboundary movement, ofanyliving modified organism resulting from modern
biotechnology thatmayhaveadverse effect ontheconservation andsustainable use
ofbiological diversity, setting outforconsideration, inparticular, appropriate
procedure foradvance informed agreement;
2. Decides toestablish anOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group under theConference
oftheParties which shalloperate inaccordance withtheterms ofreference inthe
annex tothisdecision;
3. Requests theExecutive Secretary oftheConvention tomake thenecessary
arrangements fortheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group tomeetassoonas
possible, atleastoncebefore thenextmeeting oftheConference oftheParties.
Annex todecision II/5
Terms ofReference fortheOpen-Ended AdHocWorking Group
1. TheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group should becomposed ofrepresentatives,
including experts, nominated byGovernments andregional economic integration
organizations.
2. TheOpen-ended AdhocWorking Group shall, inaccordance withoperative paragraph 1
ofthepresent decision:
(a) elaborate, asapriority, themodalities andelements ofaprotocol based on
appropriate elements from Sections I,IIandIIIparagraph 18(a)ofAnnex Iof
thereport oftheOpen-ended AdHocGroup ofExperts onBiosafety;
(b) consider theinclusion oftheelements from Section III,paragraph 18(b)andother
elements, asappropriate;
3. Thedevelopment ofthedraftprotocol shall, asapriority:
(a) elaborate thekeyconcepts andterms thataretobeaddressed intheprocess;WT/CTE/W/18
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(b) include consideration oftheform andscope ofadvance informed agreement
procedures;
(c) identify relevant categories ofLMOs resulting from modern biotechnology.
4. Theprotocol willhavetoreflect thatitseffective functioning requires thatParties establish
ormaintain national measures, buttheabsence ofsuchnational measures should not
prejudice thedevelopment, implementation andscope oftheprotocol.
5. Theprotocol willtakeintoaccount theprinciples enshrined intheRioDeclaration on
Environment andDevelopment and,inparticular, theprecautionary approach contained in
Principle 15andwill:
(a) notexceed thescope oftheConvention;
(b) notoverride orduplicate anyother international legalinstrument inthisarea;
(c) provide forareview mechanism;
(d) beefficient andeffective andseektominimis unnecessary negative impacts on
biotechnology research anddevelopment andnottohinder unduly access toand
transfer oftechnology.
6. Theprovisions oftheConvention willapply totheprotocol.
7. Theprocess willtakeintofullaccount thegapsintheexisting legalframework identified
through analysis ofexisting national andinternational legislation.
8. Theprocess shallbeguided bytheneedforallParties tocooperate ingood faithandto
participate fully, withaviewtothelargest possible number ofParties totheConvention
ratifying theprotocol.
9. Theprocess willbecarried outonthebasis ofthebestavailable scientific knowledge and
experience, aswellasother relevant information.
10. Theprocess ofdeveloping aprotocol should beconducted asamatter ofurgency byan
open-ended adhocgroup, which willreport onprogress toeachsubsequent meeting ofthe
Conference oftheParties. TheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group should endeavour to
complete itswork in1998.
Decision II/7:Consideration ofArticles 6and8oftheConvention
TheConference oftheParties,
Mindful ofthecrucial importance oftheprovisions ofArticles 6and8inthefulfilment ofthe
objectives oftheConvention;
1. Urges allParties andGovernments andother interested stakeholders toexchange relevant
information andshare experience onmeasures taken fortheimplementation ofArticles 6
and8;WT/CTE/W/18
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2. Stresses theimportance ofregional andinternational cooperation fortheimplementation of
Articles 6and8oftheConvention;
3. Requests theExecutive Secretary tomake available through theclearing-house mechanism
suchinformation andlessons drawn from national experience andalsotomake available
relevant information ontheimplementation ofArticles 6and8contained innational
reports submitted byParties inaccordance withArticle 26oftheConvention aswellas
decision II/17 adopted atitssecond meeting;
4. Further requests theExecutive Secretary:
(a) Tocompile anddisseminate thatinformation aswidely aspossible including
experience ofrelevant conventions, United Nations bodies andintergovernmental
andnongovernmental organizations indealing withtheprovisions ofArticles 6
and8;
(b) Toprepare, onthebasis ofavailable information, suggestions onhow the
collection andsharing ofrelevant information andexperience might beenhanced;
5. Encourages Parties, inpreparing andimplementing theirnational strategies andaction
plans, tocollaborate withrelevant organizations and,ifsodesired, totakeinto
consideration existing guidelines suchas"National Biodiversity Planning" published bythe
United Nations Environment Programme, theWorld Resources Institute andtheWorld
Conservation Union (IUCN);
6. Emphasizes theimportance ofcapacity-building aswellastheavailability ofadequate
financial resources toassist Parties intheimplementation ofArticles 6and8ofthe
Convention, andinthiscontext requests theinterim financial mechanism under the
Convention tofacilitate urgent implementation ofArticles 6and8oftheConvention by
availing todeveloping country Parties financial resources forprojects inaflexible and
expeditious manner;
7. Alsorequests theExecutive Secretary topresent toitareport ontheimplementation of
thisdecision forconsideration atitsthirdmeeting.
Decision II/11:Access toGenetic Resources
TheConference oftheParties,
Recalling thatthecharge from itssecond meeting istoprepare foragenda item6.6.1 ofthe
programme ofwork foritsthirdmeeting where theSecretariat isasked tocompile theviews of
Parties onpossible options fordeveloping national legislative, administrative orpolicy measures,
asappropriate toimplement Article 15;
Noting thatregional efforts, based inpartonthesimilarity ofthegenetic resources found inthe
region, areimportant tocommon strategies andtherefore should beencouraged;
1. Requests theExecutive Secretary to:
(a) Further elaborate thesurvey ofmeasures taken byGovernments toimplement
Article 15,including anynational interpretations ofkeyterms usedinthatarticle,WT/CTE/W/18
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withaviewtocompleting thesurvey intimeforcirculation atthethirdmeeting of
theConference oftheParties;
(b) Compile anannotated listofstudies andother relevant information onthesocial
andeconomic valuation ofgenetic resources, including thedemand byindustry for
genetic resources;
2. Reaffirms thathuman genetic resources arenotincluded within theframework ofthe
Convention;
3. Urges Governments tosendinformation onnational measures totheSecretariat attheir
earliest convenience;
4. Recommends thattheSecretariat notduplicate work underway inother forums.
Decision II/12:Intellectual Property Rights
TheConference oftheParties,
Requests theExecutive Secretary to:
(a) Liaise withtheSecretariat oftheWorld Trade Organization toinform itofthe
goals andtheongoing work oftheConvention onBiological Diversity andto
invite theSecretariat oftheWorld Trade Organization toassist inthepreparation
ofapaper fortheConference oftheParties thatidentifies thesynergies and
relationship between theobjectives oftheConvention onBiological Diversity and
theTRIPs Agreement. Thispaper could bethebasis forconsideration bythethird
meeting oftheConference oftheParties inpreparing apossible input for
negotiations thataretaking place intheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment of
theWorld Trade Organization;
(b) Consult withallstakeholders, inparticular theprivate sector andindigenous and
localcommunities, inorder togainunderstanding oftheneeds andconcerns of
those groups whose participation willberequired forcooperative arrangements to
bemeaningful andeffective inachieving theConvention 'sobjectives. These
consultations maytakeplace intheform ofroundtable discussions;
(c) Undertake apreliminary study which analyses theimpact ofintellectual property
rights systems ontheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity and
theequitable sharing ofbenefits derived from itsuseinorder togainabetter
understanding oftheimplications ofArticle 16(5). Thestudy mayfocus on:
(i)exploring therelationship between intellectual property rights andthe
preservation andmaintenance oftraditional knowledge andpractices ofindigenous
andlocalcommunities andthepossible roleofintellectual property rights in
encouraging theequitable sharing ofbenefits arising from theuseofsuch
knowledge andpractices; and(ii)inviting Governments andother relevant
stakeholders tosubmit casestudies thataddress theroleofintellectual property
rights inthetechnology transfer process, inparticular theroleofintellectual
property rights inthetransfer ofbiotechnology.