Background information: The debate about the application of biotechnology agriculture is one of the most vocal and passionate ones now taking place. People and governments in different parts of the world react to agricultural biotechnology in different ways. Countries’ diverging attitudes on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) may reflect different approaches towards science. They may also be influenced by the huge investments made in some countries by the biotechnology industry and by the wish to recoup such investments. Furthermore, they could reflect different levels of risk that governments and people in different parts of the world are willing to accept. For developing countries, agro-biotechnology is a particularly challenging phenomenon. The most demanding tasks for them will likely be (1) to reconcile their interests as exporters of conventional agricultural products with those they may have as actual or potential producers, importers and exporters of GMOs; and (2) to comply with all the relevant international trade obligations to which they may have subscribed.

Purpose: The event will provide the opportunity for a technical discussion of the above-mentioned issues. It will also provide a chance to assess the capacity-building needs of developing countries in this area. Ongoing activities in the sector and possible new initiatives will be presented and discussed.

UNCTAD has been a valued actor in the debate on international trade in GMOs since the very beginning and, according to its mandate, has focused its analysis on the trade and development dimensions. Through its servicing of the UN Commission on Science and Technology, UNCTAD has also provided valuable intergovernmental work on biotechnology. The meeting will help identify those capacity-building activities in which UNCTAD’s expertise could prove particularly useful and will contribute to strengthening the cooperation links in the field of biotechnology between UNCTAD and other relevant international organizations, as well as Brazilian counterparts.

Expected outcome: The meeting is not expected to provide any conclusive answers to the many complex questions related to agricultural biotechnology. Rather, it is a forum for an informed exchange of views on the issues at stake, to review the existing multilateral rules that apply to international trade in GMOs and the trends in the development of national frameworks in the area of biotechnology and biosafety, as well as to identify key considerations to be taken into account by developing countries when seting up domestic frameworks on agro-biotechnology and biosafety. The meeting will also present relevant capacity-building programmes of which developing countries may avail themselves and will identify areas where additional efforts may be needed. More specifically, the meeting will help identify capacity-building activities for which UNCTAD’s expertise could prove particularly useful. Finally, it will contribute to strengthening cooperation in the field of biotechnology and biosafety between UNCTAD and other relevant international organizations, as well as Brazilian counterparts.

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