Abstract:
Uganda is Party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Protocol provides an international regulatory framework to reconcile the respective needs of trade and environmental protection with respect to the rapidly growing global biotechnology industry. Article 19 binds each Party to the Protocol to designate one national focal point to be responsible on its behalf for liaison with the Secretariat of the CBD on biosafety matters. The Protocol also provides for establishment of one or more Competent national authorities to be responsible for administrative functions required by the Protocol. The Focal point for Uganda is the Ministry responsible for Environment while the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology is the Competent Authority.