Description | Programme | Participants | Documentation

Programme

15 FEBRUARY

9h00-9h15: Welcome by Organisers

Ricardo Meléndez-Ortiz, Executive Director, ICTSD
Sheila Maina, Research & Training Manager, ATPS (on behalf of Osita Ogbu, Executive Director)
Muheddin Kemal Negash, Scientific, Technical & Research Commission, AU
Mijumbi Nyiira, NEPAD

9h15-16h30: Biotechnology and trade policy-making in Eastern Africa: Setting the context
Chair: Norah Olembo

Biotechnology policies and approaches in Eastern Africa
Charles Mugoya, Uganda National Council for Science and Technology

Perspectives on public policy objectives for biotechnology and their intersection with trade obligations and interests

Working Group discussion

16h45-19h00: Policy frameworks for biotechnology
Chair: Margaret Karembu

Food security, agrobiodiversity and biotech R&D: Implications of intellectual property rights
By Moni Wekesa, Kennyatta University, and Getachew Mengistie, Ethiopian Intellectual Property Office

Discussants:

16 FEBRUARY

9h00-13h00 Policy frameworks for biotechnology (cont.)
Chair: Mohamed Khalil Timamy

Poverty alleviation through agricultural development: A role for biotechnology?
Joseph Wekundah, Biotechnology Trust Africa

Capacity building for biotechnology: Status and needs
John Bananuka, BIO-Earn

Implications of GMOs on trade and access to emergency food aid in the COMESA/ASARECA region
David Wafula, African Centre for Technology Studies

14h00-17h30 Risk analysis in the context of multilateral trade and biosafety policies
Chair: Andrew Mushita

Risk management and liability under the Cartagena Protocol
By David Hafashimana, Ministry of Water, Lands and Environment, Uganda

Multilateral trade rules - An obstacle to effective risk management?
By Heike Baumüller, ICTSD

Discussants:

17h30-18h00 Wrap-up

17 FEBRUARY

Visit to a biotech facilities (optional) for a tour and the opportunity to discuss issues and engage with researchers.