DECISION ON THE REPORT OF THE INTERIM CHAIRPERSON
ON THE AFRICA-WIDE CAPACITY BUILDING IN BIOSAFETY
DOC. EX/CL/31(III)
The Executive Council:
TAKES NOTE of the Report;
STRESSES the need for Member States to equip themselves with the necessary human and institutional capacities to deal with Biosafety issues within the framework of the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety;
ENDORSES the steps so far taken at national, regional and continental levels aimed at putting in place an Africa-wide Biosafety System as well as an Africa-wide Capacity Building Programme in Biosafety in order to strengthen the abilities of Member States to deal with Biosafety issues;
URGES Member States, in abiding by the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol, to use the African Model Law in Biosafety prepared by the AU Commission as a basis for drafting their national legal instruments in Biosafety, taking into account their national peculiarities, in order to create an harmonized Africa-wide space and system in Biosafety for the regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms movement, transportation and importation in Africa;
APPEALS to the developed countries, particularly Africa’s development partners willing to assist Africa in this endeavour, to grant the necessary resources as well as financial and technical support towards the implementation of this programme;
REQUESTS the Chairperson of the Commission to convene a meeting of Experts and Civil Society Organizations to give further consideration to this issue and come out with proposals for an African Common Position for adoption by the policy organs of the African Union;
ALSO REQUESTS the Chairperson of the Commission to ensure sustainability of the programme on Capacity Building in Biosafety in Member States and ensure that Council is regularly informed on annual basis.