Development of National Biosafety Frameworks Project (10 additional countries) - Add On

This project is an extension of the original project on "Development of National Biosafety Frameworks Project" and aims to assist remaining GEF eligible countries to prepare for the entry into force of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in accordance with the Initial Biosafety Strategy as endorsed by the 16th GEF Council meeting hold on November 2000, taking into account other bilateral and multilateral initiatives. More specifically the project aims at assisting GEF eligible countries to prepare national biosafety frameworks and promote regional and sub-regional cooperation through the convening of regional and sub-regional workshops. The original project was designed for a planning figure of 100 countries with a clear commitment to support any additional eligible countries. A further request for additional funds for 20 countries was approved at the GEF November 2003 Council through an Add-on project. This has brought the total number of countries currently financed to 120. This further request for additional funds for the last 10 eligible countries is, as for the previous add-on project, an extension of the original project design with the same norms and standards. The implementation of the project will be guided by the "Indicative framework for capacity building under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety" (UNEP/CBD/ICCP/1/4) as well as the guidance of the Intergovernmental Committee of the Cartagena Protocol.