1. 1 Training Workshop for New Regional Advisors 15 – 20 May 2006 Bangkok, Thailand

2. 2 Why You Are Here? To attend a training workshop to become Regional Advisors for the UNEP-GEF project for Capacity Building for Effective Participation in the BCH because: –The UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit based in Geneva, Switzerland requires the assistance of experts living and working in the following 4 regions: CEE, LAC, A/P and Africa to assist countries to participate in the BCH project;

3. 3 The Objectives of the Workshop To train a core of regional experts to become Regional Advisors; and Who, at the end of the workshop, are able to assist participating countries by: offering technical advice: and training and assisting countries to develop both infrastructure and human resources to enable countries to effectively participate in the BCH.

4. 4 How You Can Assist? The assistance you can provide to countries will include: –Advice; –Support; –Technical Assistance; and –Hands-On Training.

5. 5 What Skills Are Required to assist countries Knowledge of your region,working environment, as well as experience of the political, social and economic sensitivities in the region/countries; Knowledge of either the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, other Biosafety-related experience OR IT- related experience; Knowledge of coaching, training and assisting.

6. 6 The UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit The UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit is based in Geneva, Switzerland, with staff also based in Nairobi, Samoa and Barbados; The Biosafety Unit comprises of three projects: –The Development of National Biosafety Frameworks; –Capacity Building for Effective Participation in the BCH; –8 Demonstration Projects for Implementing the National Biosafety Frameworks. The three projects work together.

7. 7 The UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit (cont) The staff include: –Global Project Manager, Mr. Chris Briggs, –Implementation Manager, Ms. Fee Chon Low –BCH Project Manager, Jyoti Mathur –Regional Coordinators: Mr. Nizar Mohammed, Asia and the Pacific Mr. Keneti Faulalo, Pacific Mr. Charles Gbedemah, Africa Mr. Giovanni Ferraiolo, Latin America Mr. Leonard O’Garro, Caribbean Mr. David Duthie, CEE

8. 8 The UNEP-GEF Biosafety Unit (cont) –BCH Project Team: Mr. Ingo Piegeler, Task Manager, Africa; Mr. Prakash Bista, Task Manager, CEE and Asia Mr. Ernesto Ocampo, Regional Specialist, Latin America Mr. Fred Vogel, IT Specialist,; and Ms. Yenny Ezquerro, Programme Assistant. –Finance and Administration and Team: Fund Manager, Ms. Lydia Eibl-Kamolleh; and Human Resources Assistant, Ms. Helena Hall –Implementation Team: Programme Officer, Ms. Alessandra Sensi Programme Assistant, Mr. Fred Delpech

9. 9 What You Can Expect at the End of the Workshop Understand, in broad terms, the role of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the BCH; Know the rules and procedures, concerning your own role and the assistance to be delivered to countries; Understand basic training and communication methodological necessities and be able to apply these presentation- and facilitation techniques;

10. 10 What You Can Expect at the End of the Workshop (cont) Fully understand the concept and functioning of the BCH and be able to efficiently work with the respective partners and tools; Fully understand the type of support and assistance countries might require and request and are able to support them with high quality service; and Review and evaluate the Course and provide suggestions for improvement.

11. 11 The intended impacts of this course That Developing and EIT countries, with the assistance of the regional advisors trained through this training course, will be: –In compliance with obligations relating to the BCH; –Able to access information from the BCH; –Able to post information on the BCH.

12. 12 How You were Selected A generic TOR for the regional experts for the CPB and for IT specialists was developed and peer reviewed in October 2004; Advertisements were placed in over 15 journals and weekly papers world-wide in October 2004; A call for regional experts was also made using other channels, including the use of the UNEP-GEF Biosafety mailing list (>5500 names), devnet.org and other websites.

13. 13 How You were Selected (cont) Approximately 500 applications were received; Approximately 120 applicants were pre-selected; A selection panel consisting of representative from ITU, STAP and the UNEP-GEF Biosafety Team met on 9-10 Dec to review and make the final selections. SCBD was represented remotely.

14. 14 The Next Steps Successful completion of this workshop; UNEP-GEF will send letter; Offer you contracts of up to 70 days (or more) over a 2 year period to assist countries; Contracts issued though United Nations Office of Project Services; Estimated Start Date: 1 July 2006.

15. 15 Thank you