The Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) adopted the GEF Initial Strategy on Biosafety in November 2000 which is aimed at assisting countries to be prepared for the coming into force of the Biosafety Protocol through the establishment of National Biosafety frameworks (NBFs). The Cartagena Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.
The UNEP-GEF Biosafety activities aim to meet the aims and obligations of this Protocol. The Strategy for Financing Biosafety was approved by the GEF Council on an interim basis in December 2006 and is part of the GEF Focal Area Strategies and Strategic Programming for GEF-4 approved by the GEF Council in June 2007. On going Biosafety Activities are guided by GEF Focal Area Strategy on Biodiversity and the CBD Strategic Plan on the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
