Biotech Updates

Somalia Joins the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

August 13, 2010

Somalia deposited its instrument of accession to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety last 26 July 2010 and will be the 160th Party to the Protocol on 24 October 2010, the same year of the 10th year anniversary of the adoption of the Protocol.

The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is a legally binding international agreement controlling the movement of genetically modified organisms from one boundary to another, ensuring safety in transfer, handling and usage.

"This is a historic occasion not only for Somalia but for the whole world. It is a demonstration of my Government's wish to engage in the process of multilateral cooperation on the environment and for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity as means towards promoting not only socio-economic development, but also international peace and security. We are pleased to join hands with other nations to work towards achieving this noble goal," said Dr. Abdullahi Mohamed Issa, the Minister of Environment of Somalia.

The press release is available at http://www.cbd.int/doc/press/2010/pr-2010-08-06-somalia-en.pdf.