| The second focal points
meeting was held on 11-12 March 2004 (eight months after the
first one). The following were discussed during the meeting:
1) status of the biosafety project in each country; 2) presentation
and discussion of the benchmark document; 3) approval of the
2004-2005 work plan; 4) long-term strategy ; 5) management
of the Asian BioNet website. The meeting was expected to 1)
clarify strengths, and weaknesses and gaps in the cooperating
countries through the formulation of benchmark document; 2)
to maintain steady progress of activities through the use
of BioNet website, 3) finalization of plans regarding the
venue and date of the Regional Training Workshop (Public Awareness
and Participation, Risk Assessment and Management, and IPRs);
The National Training Workshops of the project participating
countries; and, the Second Regional Consultation.
In addition to the focal points from the participating countries
members of the steering committee and the technical expert
group), the project secretariat, representative from the donor
government, FAO-RAP officers, representative from other agencies
working in biotechnology attended the meeting.
During the meeting, both the FAO Assistant Director General
(Mr. He Changchui) and representative of the donor government
emphasized the importance of the Asian BioNet as a mechanism
for exchange of information in order to promote harmonization
of national capacity (legislation, regulations and policies
related to biosafety of GM crops) among the project participating
countries. Regional harmonization of biosafety standards,
regulations and guidelines would foster better use of resources
together with improved national capacities (in mutual acceptance
of modified organisms and products derive from them).
Dr. Andrea Sonnino, Senior Agricultural Research officer,
Sustainable Development Department, FAO Rome presented the
overview of FAO activities for biotechnology and biosafety
capacity building. He mentioned that biotechnology has a hue
potential for food security provided that it is properly integrated
with other technologies accompanied by systematic risk assessment
and management (the biosafety system). He emphasized the need
for biosafety system to ensure the sustainable use of resources
and also to meet international obligations for better legal
and trade conditions. He also mentioned that FAO aims at providing
a neutral forum to develop international instruments of governance,
provide policy advice, ensure balanced information an supply
technical assistance.
The accomplishments and lessons learnt from the last two
years of the project implementation were presented by the
first project coordinator, Dr. Susumu Kawabe. He also presented
the long-term strategies to be adapted for the continuation
of phase 1 into phase 2. Some of these included the expansion
of the number of participating countries, conduct of more
training and workshops; enhancing the efficiency of information
exchange and dissemination; conduct of more research by the
participating countries; cooperative management of the project
and the secretariat among the participating countries and
institutions, and strengthening of collaboration with other
organization working on biosafety of GMOs.
The participating countries take turns in presenting the
status of their national biosafety framework and its relation
to the implementation of the project. Summary of each country
presentation is included in the Summary Proceedings of the
meeting (see publications).
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