The United Nations Conference on the Convention on Bio-diversity has begun in Hyderabad this morning. Chairing the sixth edition of the Meeting of the Parties (MoP) on Cartagena protocol on Bio-safety being held as a prelude to the Summit, Union Minister for Environment and Forests, Mrs Jayanthi Natarajan has stressed the need for risk assessment of the Living Modified Organisms on human health. The Minister called for a balanced approach in the use of biotechnology in such a way that bio-safety measures are taken care of by all partners.

She asked the participant countries to strive for more cooperation in adoption of bio-safety regulatory framework, scaling up capacity building and exchange of information on bio-safety. Mrs Natarajan said broad consensus is required on dealing with issues related to Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) as countries are expressing concerns over them.

Executive Secretary to the Convention on Bio-diversity, Mr Brolio Ferreira D’Souza Dias said the ongoing summit provides an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation and build global and political support for the Cartagena protocol. He said 164 countries are party to the protocol so far. He said the implementation of bio-safety framework is in a preliminary stage in many countries.

Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan said Biotechnology should be used for increasing food production to face the challenges of climate change and depleting ground water resources.

About 2000 delegates from about 150 countries are attending the MoP-6. They will discuss a host of issues including review of the implementation of the Cartagena protocol and its socio-economic considerations, capacity building and mobilization of financial resources.