The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity entered into force on 11 September 2003. The objective of the Protocol is "to contribute to ensuring an adequate level of protection in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking also into account risks to human health, and specifically focusing on transboundary movements". As of 25 September, there were 61 Parties to the Protocol. The 1st meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol takes place on 23-27 February 2004 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. See a press kit, with information in English, French and Spanish, at http://www.biodiv.org/doc/press/pk-bs-01.asp or contact [email protected] for more information.

07/09/2003