22 February 2013: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has called for the submission of information on components, organisms and products resulting from synthetic biology techniques, as well as for proposals for new and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

With regard to synthetic biology, the call for information results from Decision XI/11, in which the Conference of the Parties (COP) noted, based on the precautionary approach, the need to consider the potential positive and negative impacts of components, organisms and products resulting from synthetic biology techniques on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and requested submission of relevant information, including on associated social, economic and cultural considerations. The call for proposals on new and emerging issues is in line with the procedure for the identification of such issues, including the information that should be provided and criteria to facilitate a decision on their inclusion in the agenda of a meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), established by Decision IX/29. [CBD Notification][Decision IX/29][Decision XI/11][IISD RS Coverage of CBD COP 11]