Report of the Meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Technology Transfer and Scientific

UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/1

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/ / CBD
/ Distr.
GENERAL
UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/1
3May 2008
ENGLISH ONLY

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

Ninth meeting

Bonn, 19-30 May 2008

Item 4.3 of the provisional agenda[*]

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UNEP/CBD/COP/9/INF/1

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Report of the meeting of the ad hoc technical expert group on technology transfer and scientific AND TECHNOLOGICAL cooperation

INTRODUCTION

A.Background

1.The Meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Technology Transfer and Scientific and Technological Cooperation was held in Geneva from 10 to 12 September 2007, with the financial assistance from the Government of Spain, and in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The meeting was held in response to decision VIII/12 of the Conference of the Parties, on technology transfer and scientific and technological cooperation. In paragraph 4 of this decision, the Conference of the Parties established an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group with a view to:

(a)Collect, analyse and identify ongoing tools, mechanisms, systems and initiatives to promote the implementation of Articles 16 to 19 of the Convention; and to

(b)Propose strategies for practical implementation of the programme of work on technology transfer and scientific and technical cooperation adopted by the Conference of the Parties in decisionVII/29.

2.In paragraph 10 of the same decision, the Conference of the Parties also decided that the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group would undertake this work “with the mandate as set out in decision VII/29, paragraph 7.” This paragraph requested the Executive Secretary, with the assistance of an expert group on technology transfer and scientific and technical cooperation, to:

(a)Prepare proposals on options to apply institutional, administrative, legislative and policy measures and mechanisms to facilitate access to and adaptation of technologies by developing countries and countries with economies in transition, and in particular of means and mechanisms that:

(i)Foster an enabling environment in developing and developed countries for cooperation as well as the transfer, adaptation and diffusion of relevant technologies;

(ii)Present obstacles that impede transfers of relevant technologies from developed countries;

(iii)Provide, in accordance with existing international obligations, incentives to private-sector actors as well as public research institutions in developed country Parties, to encourage cooperation and transfer of technologies to developing countries, through, e.g., technology transfer programmes or joint-ventures;

(iv)Promote and advance priority access for Parties to the results and benefits arising from technologies based upon genetic resources provided by those Parties, in accordance with Article19, paragraph 2 of the Convention, and to promote the effective participation in related technological research by those Parties;

(v)Promote innovative approaches and means of technology transfer and cooperation such as Type 2 partnerships, in accordance with the outcome of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, or transfers among actors, involving in particular the private sector and civil society organizations; and to

(b)Explore possibilities and mechanisms of cooperation with processes in other conventions and international organizations, such as the UNFCCC Expert Group on Technology Transfer (EGTT).

3.In accordance with this earlier decision, the Executive Secretary established the expert group and the results of the consultation were submitted to the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties as document UNEP/CBD/8/19/Add.2. In decision VIII/12, the Conference of the Parties took note of the proposals and of the exploration contained in this document, and invited Parties to make submissions thereon to the Executive Secretary no later than four months prior to the meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group. The Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to analyse the views submitted and to forward the results together with the proposals and the views of Parties to the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group for its work. The views submitted are also annexed to the present report, as requested by decision VIII/12.

4.In decision VII/30, the Conference of the Parties adopted a provisional framework for assessing progress towards the 2010 biodiversity target, and also identified a number of indicators for development by SBSTTA or working groups, including an indicator for technology transfer. In annex IV of decision VIII/15, the Conference of the Parties inter alia invited the Expert Group on technology transfer and scientific and technological cooperation to consider this matter.

5.The Executive Secretary convened the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Technology Transfer and Scientific and Technological Cooperation with the financial assistance from the Government of Spain, and in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

Attendance

6.Participants in the meeting were selected from among government-designated experts, based on their expertise and taking into account gender balance and fair and equitable geographical distribution. Representatives of competent stakeholder organizations and international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations also attended the meeting as observers. A list of participants is provided in annex I.

ITEM 1.OPENING OF THE MEETING

7.The meeting was opened by Mr. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at 10 a.m. on Monday, 10 September 2007. Opening remarks were also provided by the representatives of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mr. Mongi Hamdi and Mr. Hussein Abaza.

8.Mr. Djoghlaf welcomed participants and, expressing his appreciation for UNCTAD and UNEP co-hosting the meeting, also welcomed the representatives of these organizations. He reminded the meeting that access to and transfer of relevant technologies is essential for the implementation of the Convention and noted that, despite the adoption of the ambitious programme of work on technology transfer and scientific and technological by the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in 2004, the third national reports indicated that progress in implementing the pertinent provisions of the Convention has been limited so far. In light of the challenges identified by many Parties, the task of the present meeting would therefore be much-needed and timely, in particular in the context of the enhanced phase of implementation of the Convention. He reviewed pertinent activities of the Secretariat, and took the occasion of this meeting to launch the latest issue of the business 2010 newsletter, which focusedon technology transfer and cooperation under the Convention.

9.Mr. Hamdi, Chief of UNCTAD’sScience and Technology Section, expressed his pleasure to co-host the Ad-Hoc Expert Group on Technology Transfer and Scientific and Technological Cooperation and said that he looked forward to further cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity on technology-related issues such as the development of technology transfer indicators. Drawing from UNCTAD’s work on technology transfer, he highlighted the important role that technology transfer plays in promoting trade and development and bridging the technology gap. Noting the importance of industry partnerships and scientific and technological cooperation, he welcomed the Group addressing how to encourage such partnerships and cooperation, and pointed to a number of specific good practice cases that could be further used.

10.Mr. Abaza, Chief of the Economics and Trade Branch of UNEP’s Division on Technology, Industry and Economics, underlined UNEP’s commitment to cooperating with and supporting MEA implementation, including the promotion of technology transfer. He noted that technology transfer is a prerequisite to achieving sustainable development objectives, but that there is a need to move beyond rhetoric to action. He highlighted the importance of engaging the private sector to the extent feasible, and also noted the importance of focusing on all aspects of technology transfer, including the transfer of accompanying software, training, and maintenance of equipment. In conclusion, he urged the experts to explore ways of stimulating south-south cooperation on technology transfer, including through the development of economic incentives.

11.Following the introductory statements, participants briefly introduced themselves.

ITEM 2.ORGANIZATIONAL MATTERS

2.1.Officers

12.Participants elected Mr. Peter Johan Schei (Norway) as Chair of the Group.

2.2.Adoption of the agenda

13.After a presentation by the representative of the Secretariat, Mr. Markus Lehmann, describing the background, objectives and expected outputs of the meeting, summarized in the introduction of the present report, the Group adopted the following agenda on the basis of the provisional agenda that had been circulated as document UNEP/CBD/AHTEG-TTSTC/1:

1.Opening of the meeting.

2.Organizational matters:

2.1.Election of officers;

2.2.Adoption of the agenda;

2.3.Organization of work.

Collection, analysis and identification of ongoing tools, mechanisms, systems and initiatives to promote the implementation of Articles 16 to 19 of the Convention.
Development of strategies for practical implementation of the programme of work on technology transfer and scientific and technical cooperation.
Development of an indicator for technology transfer as part of the framework for assessing progress towards the 2010 target.
Other matters.
Adoption of the report.
Closure of the meeting.

14.Referring to the Convention Articles enumerated in agenda item 3, it was noted that Articles 15 as well as 8(j) and 10(c) were also relevant for the work of the Group, and the Group subsequently decided to keep these Articles in mind during its deliberations.

2.3. Organization of work

15.At its opening session, the meeting decided to work in plenary, and to break out in groups as needed. No such need arose during the meeting.

ITEM 3.Collection, analysis and identification of ongoing tools, mechanisms, systems and initiatives to promote the implementation of Articles 16 to 19 of the Convention

16.Following a brief introduction by the representative of the Secretariat, experts were invited by the Chair to share their knowledge of, and experiences with, existing tools, mechanisms, systems and initiatives to promote technology transfer and scientific and technological cooperation in accordance with Articles 16 to 19 of the Convention, recalling, as previously agreed, that Article 15 and other Articles of the Convention are also relevant (see paragraph 14 above). Representatives of UNEP, UNCTAD and the WTO also made presentations on their pertinent work. The representatives of stakeholder and other international organizations were also invited to share their knowledge and experience as well as to report on pertinent activities of their organizations.

17.In his introduction, the representative of the Secretariat referred participants to documentUNEP/CBD/AHTEG-TTSTC/2, which was structured in accordance with the mandate set out in paragraph 7 of decision VII/29. He also drew the attention of the meeting to decision VIII/17 on private sector engagement, reproduced in document UNEP/CBD/AHTEG-TTSTC/3,explaining that, in this decision, the Conference of the Parties invited the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group to address the role of the private sector in achieving the three objectives of the Convention and to consider the relevance of decision VIII/17 for the work of the Expert Group.

18.The meeting decided to use document UNEP/CBD/AHTEG-TTSTC/2as a basis for its deliberations under this agenda item. The meeting decided to first undertake a general analysis of relevant tools, mechanism, systems and initiatives, and to address the individual sub-items of the mandate provided in paragraph 7 of decision VII/29 in subsequent stages.

A.General analysis

19.Defining technology transfer– Experts noted the importance of clearly conceptualizing or defining technology transfer. The sheer breadth of technologies, from traditional to modern technologies, would call for the prioritization of activities with the greatest impact in fostering effective transfer, in accordance with the type of technology under consideration. Experts recommended focusing on specific and practical elements, suggesting for instance that pursuing “quick wins”, where tangible results could be quickly realized, might be a useful way of proceeding.

20.Available technologies – The Group emphasized the need to undertake more effort to identify available relevant technologies and disseminate this information through online databases and other means, for instance in areas such as the production of food, feed and fibers; the production of energy, transport and IT. A need was identified to classify relevant technologies for a more effective transfer. Experts emphasized that more use should be made of low-key local technologies and traditional technologies, while noting with regret that no representative of indigenous and local communities was present at the meeting.

21.Technology needs and priorities– There was general consensus among the experts about the importance of promoting demand-driven technology needs assessments involving consultations with a wide range of stakeholders. Experts reviewed existing tools and projects focused on identifying technology needs, such as the Technology Needs Assessments (TNA) undertaken under the UNFCCC with support by GEF, as well as the UNDP/GEF guidebook on the preparation of needs assessments for climate change mitigation and adaptation technologies. It was noted that training is essential given that there is currently a lack of capacity to undertake assessments.

22.Databases– Experts highlighted the importance of online databases for providing information for the needs assessments, noting that one of the challenges is accessing technology information and databases given the breadth of information that currently exists. It was suggested that the development of a database of technology databases, for instance through the clearing house mechanism of the Convention, might be useful.

23.Technical and financial capacity – Experts highlighted the importance of relevant training and capacity-building in terms of, inter alia, building trust among key actors and stakeholders, noting that training individuals with a “big picture” focus, such as policymakers, is just as critical as training technology specialists. Building capacity in developed countries, particular on prior informed consent and access and benefit sharing – was also seen as critical. Several experts highlighted the importance of identifying and promoting successful and concrete good practice examples for effective promotion of technology transfer (“champions of technology transfer”). The lack of adequate funding was also highlighted as a major hindrance to the transfer of technology. In particular, it was noted that the GEF funding would currently not cover technology needs under the Convention.

24.Legislation and policies – Underlining that regulations can in fact facilitate technology transfer if they provide a predictable, proportionate, transparent and consistent framework for orientation, thus contributing to building trust, it was noted that many countries still lack adequate legislation and policies which relate to access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits, and the transfer of relevant technology. This was viewed by many experts as a major constraint to adequate technology transfer.

25.Brain drain – Expert also noted the important concern associated with the “inverse transfer” of scientific and technical knowledge resulting from the migration of scientists and technicians from developing countries to developed countries, and stressed the need to improve the national research and innovation system of developing countries, including by providing adequate infrastructure and remuneration.

26.Technology intermediaries– The importance of technology intermediaries, organizations linking providers of technology to users of technology, was highlighted as an effective mechanism for translating concepts into action. In this regard, the CGIAR centers were mentioned as good examples of intermediaries facilitating technology transfer. It was noted that technology intermediaries must remain impartial, and that some intermediaries may not be competent or committed to identify national and regional needs.

27.Bilateral cooperation – Collaborative research projects on conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources, funded under bilateral agreements, offer opportunities for technology transfer and capacity building. The Group appreciated the usefulness of this mechanism in training and conducting joint research on developing needs-based technologies.

28.Participatory research– Carrying out scientific research on genetic resources, provided by other Contracting Parties, with full participation of and where feasible, in, such Contracting Parties, as provided under Article 15(6), was also noted as a potential tool for technology transfer.

29.Relationship with other technology transfer processes and fora – Experts highlighted the importance of linking the technology transfer activities of the Convention on Biological Diversity to other processes and fora focused on technology transfer, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) as well as the other two Rio Conventions, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Cooperation with the UNCCD would be useful with regard to its work on the transfer of traditional technologies for coping with desertification and drought, and cooperation with the UNFCCC would be of particular importance, because climate change is becoming a reality in many countries, with a subsequent need for close coordination and cooperation between the Convention on Biological Diversity and UNFCCC including on technology transfer. It was, however, noted that the Convention on Biological Diversity is focused on a specific and distinct set of technologies and issues that will require independent focus and activities. With regard to cooperation with the WTO, the Group called upon the Executive Secretary to continue observing relevant WTO negotiations, and to continue seeking for observer status in relevant WTO bodies.

30.The representative of the WTO Secretariat, Ms. Marie-Isabelle Pellan, gave a presentation on the ongoing WTO negotiations on trade liberalization of environmental goods and services, under paragraph 31 (iii) of the Doha work programme. She noted that the negotiations are premised on the belief that liberalization of these goods and services would present an opportunity to foster technology transfer, thus generating a triple-win for trade, environment and development. She explained thatsome WTO Members advocate using lists of potential environmental goods for liberalization while others have suggested that goods tied to specific environmental projects should be liberalized, and noted that, like the WTO negotiations more generally, negotiators have so far not reached an agreement in these negotiations.