High-level segment of COP5, UN Convention on Biosafety, Nairobi, 24.mai 2000. Speech by Political Adviser Jo Stein Moen

The Cartagena Protocol of Biosafety

Thank you, madam Chair,

First of all, allow me to convey to you and the other participants of this high level segment the warm regards from the Norwegian Minister of Environment, Ms. Siri Bjerke, as well as her regrets for not being able to participate in the deliberations today.

Madam Chair,

The Norwegian Government welcomes the outcome of the biosafety negotiations, - a most challenging task that has been with us for the last four years. We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the role that his Excellency Minister Juan Mayr played in leading the negotiations to a successful conclusion. We would also like to express our gratitude to Mr. Veit Koester who chaired the intergovernmental negotiating committee, which undertook the difficult task of preparing a carefully balanced draft protocol based on an overwhelming number of government submissions.

The reason why the negotiations succeeded, we believe, is because it combined and balanced the different interests into an output that in our view represents a win-win solution. The protocol is in sum and in the long run beneficiary both exporting countries, importing countries, industry, consumers, human health and the environment. Furthermore, the protocol is in itself a breakthrough for the operationalisation of the precautionary principle. For the first time in the history of humankind, the international community has succeeded in coming up with a tool for ensuring the sustainable development of a new and emerging technology. We believe that the Cartagena Protocol of Biosafety will help minimise the risks associated with biotechnology and thus put us in a position to maximise the benefits pertaining to this new technology. This is a prerequisite in order for it to become a vehicle for sustainable development.

The Cartagena Protocol is also an outstanding example of how the Convention on Biological Diversity can be operationalized and implemented. We believe the negotiation of the protocol sets a path, which should be followed for a gradual settlement of other key challenges at hand under the Convention. The Cartagena Protocol is proof of the viability and potential of the convention as a sustainable development treaty, promoting sector responsibility, guiding technological developments and complementing the trade agreements. For this reason we do not believe it is necessary to introduce a separate biosafety process under WTO, as the Convention now is designed to fully cover existing as well as new and emerging issues in the field.

Madam Chair,

Norway believes it is important to maintain the positive momentum created by the negotiations. We will do our part to ensure the protocol’s rapid entry into force. Meanwhile, it is important to prepare for the first meeting of parties. We therefor welcome the proposed Work Plan of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol developed the Bureau of the Committee. The issues covered are all important in order to ensure an effective implementation of the Protocol. We would like to extend our thanks and appreciation for the work done by ambassador Yang from Cameron in this respect. We would also like to express our appreciation for the generous offer by France to host the first meeting of the Committee.

Norway supports the idea of requesting the Executive Secretary to invite the private sector to contribute to strengthening the capacity of developing countries. We also support the request for him to convene a meeting of technical experts on the Biosafety Clearing-House. We believe capacity building and the development of the Clearing-House are vital elements for the implementation of the Protocol. For this reason Norway is prepared to contribute to capacity building in this respect as an element in our bilateral co-operation with developing countries.

Finally, Madam Chair,

Norway is pleased to note the timely emphasis given to the potential risks of benefits associated with biotechnology by the UN Secretary General in his report to the Millennium Assembly. We are pleased that he will initiate a dialogue addressing the balance between these risks and benefits. Norway strongly believes that this dialogue would profit from being linked to the interim follow up of the UN protocol newly developed in order to help strike this balance. As reflected in the chair’s summary from our round table discussions yesterday, this dialogue should be conducted in parallel with and in support of the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Cartagena Protocol.

Thank you for your attention