The Ministry of Environment and Water has organized a regional workshop on The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Being held from November 16 to 20, 2014 in Dubai, the workshop comes in line with the UAE's commitment to protect biodiversity and develop relevant policies. More than 30 representatives from West Asian and North African countries, delegates from the public and private sectors, and local authorities attended the event.

H.E. Sultan Alwan, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Water Resources and Nature Conservation, Ministry of Environment and Water pointed out that following the UAE Vision 2021 which emphasizes on the importance of conserving the rich and natural environment in the UAE, and fulfilling the country’s commitments towards the biodiversity convention. In line with the objectives the ministry placed within its strategic plans an initiative that aims to enhance the level of protection of environmentally fragile biomes, subsequently the  UAE has joined the conventions following the Federal Decree (77) of 2014 issued by H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE ordering the UAE’s inclusion in the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

 H.E. Alwan said it is fundamental to join the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety as well as promote the country’s national, regional and international capacity particularly in terms of protecting biodiversity from potential risks associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and their products.

 H.E added that the Ministry-led workshop aims to take a closer look at the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, which is based on the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, to ensure adequate levels of protection in safely transferring, handling and using GMOs. GMOs can have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainability of biological diversity. They may also pose risks to human health, especially during cross-boundary movements. He said the exchange of experiences among the participants during the five-day workshop will strengthen capacity building in abiding with the Cartagena Protocol. They will also discuss best strategies to implement the objectives through policies and programs.

 In addition, the attendees discussed the best practices for effectively implementing the Protocol’s objectives, with special emphasis on relevant legislations, awareness programs and institutional systems. The Protocol contributes to the achievement of the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ aimed at raising awareness on the value of biodiversity and measures to be taken to save it and ensure its sustainability.

 The UAE is a member of the Convention on Biological Diversity under the Union Decree No. (107) of 1999 as well as the three protocols passed during the Convention, namely, The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, The Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from Arising from their Utilization this year.