Position Statements on Biotechnology Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Website: http://www.apec.org APEC leaders endorse biotechnology During the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in China (October 20-21), President Bush and other APEC leaders joined to confirm their support for the development of biotechnology to help feed growing populations and its safe use based on sound science. Biotechnology can help developing economies increase crop yields, while using fewer pesticides and less water than conventional methods. APEC leaders from all 21 countries endorsed the proposal by the US to establish a new High-Level Biotechnology Policy Dialogue. Most APEC economies are developing domestic regulatory, trade, and scientific policies to address the emerging field of agricultural biotechnology. They are expected to "exchange views and pursue cooperative activities on a wide range of issues relating to biotechnology development, regulations governing new products, implications for trade, and effective communications strategies." APEC officials plan to hold the first session of the dialogue in Mexico City in February 2002. The APEC Leaders' Declaration calls for more capacity building activities to help member economies develop agricultural biotechnology. The APEC forum is the primary international organization for promoting open trade and economic cooperation among 21 member economies. APEC's membership includes: Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; People's Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; Republic of the Philippines; Russia; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; USA; Vietnam. Mexico currently holds the APEC chair and will host ministerial and leaders' meetings in 2002. For more information on the APEC ECONOMIC LEADERS' DECLARATION: MEETING NEW CHALLENGES IN THE NEW CENTURY, click here. |
International Support: - Food
and Agricultural Organization - Agenda
21 - International Council for Science Union - International Life Sciences Institute - International
Society of African Scientists - Nigerian President Obasanjo's Statement - Asian
Development Bank - Prime Minister Blair's speech
United States of America - American
Medical Association
Canada - Canadian
Biotechnology Advisory Committee - Brazilian
Academy of Sciences - New Zealand Royal Commission - Commonwealth
Scientific and Industrial Research Organization |
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