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The
issue of institutionalizing cooperation
on Biotechnology has been on SAARC Agenda
for some time. It was first mooted during
the Fifth SAARC Summit in 1990 and successive
Summits reiterated the call for concrete
collaboration in this field. Leaders during
the Tenth Summit in 1998, reiterated their
call for intensifying cooperation in biotechnology.
The erstwhile Technical Committee on Science
and Technology gave focused treatment of
the subject of biotechnology, in view of
the immense potential in improving the quality
of life in the region, given its vast reservoir
of biodiversity and conducive climate. With
the restructuring of the Integrated Programme
of Action as RIPA, the Working Group on
Biotechnology was formed in January 2004
to coordinate regional cooperation in this
important field.
Plan of Action for Cooperation in Biotechnology
Member States have agreed to develop a Plan
of Action for Cooperation in Biotechnology.
The six areas of collaboration identified
for the Plan of Action are Plant Tissue
Culture, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants,
Plant Biotechnology including Therapeutic
and Edible Vaccines, Vaccines and Diagnostics
for Human Health, Aquaculture, and Human
Resource Development. Concept papers are
being prepared by Member States in each
of these. Once prepared, a Group of Experts
would examine those. The Group of Experts
will finalize the proposed Plan of Action,
which will be regional in character and
will clearly outline modalities of cooperation.
Institutional
Framework for Biotechnological Cooperation
SAARC Leaders have called for institutionalizing
cooperation in the field of biotechnology
including establishment of a networking
arrangement. A Concept Paper on Developing
an Institutional Framework for Biotechnology
Cooperation is being finalized on the basis
of comments received from the Member States,
giving emphasis on networking approach.
The proposals in the Concept Paper include
setting up of a Standing Group on Biotechnology.
This Group would function as a chief advisory
body that embodies a diverse perspective
on science, health and agriculture.
State-of-the-Art
Report
The following State-of-the-Art Reports have
been prepared. They were part of a set of
four Reports that were considered by the
erstwhile Technical Committee on Science
and Technology. Meetings of experts will
be convened to develop common regional strategies
and concrete plans of action on the basis
of the Reports.
i.
State-of-the-Art Report on Selected Rural
Technologies
ii. State-of-the-Art Report on Biotechnology
New
Areas in Biotechnology
In view of the importance of regional cooperation
in Biotechnology, a proposal to draw a regional
framework for Biosafety Procedures and Protocols
is being considered in the context of the
rules and regulations prevailing in the
Member States. Member States are in the
process of sharing information in this important
area. A concept paper on a regional framework
for Biosafety Procedures and Protocols will
be finalized.
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