The Convention on Biological Diversity invites any expert and stakeholder to submit information and supporting documentation on Synthetic Biology to its secretariat (secretariat@cbd.info) by 16 June 2017. The information should be relevant to one or more of these topics:

1. Research, cooperation and activities noted in the sub-paragraphs (i) to (iii):
2. (i) To conduct research on the benefits and adverse effects of organisms, components and products of synthetic biology on biodiversity, with a view to filling knowledge gaps and identifying how those effects relate to the objectives of the Convention and its Protocols;
3. (ii) To promote and enable public and multi-stakeholder dialogues and awareness-raising activities on the potential benefits and potential adverse effects of organisms, components and products of synthetic biology on biodiversity, involving all relevant stakeholders and with the full and effective engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities; and
4. (iii) To cooperate in the development of guidance and capacity-building activities with a view to assessing the potential benefits and potential adverse effects of organisms, components and products of synthetic biology and, if necessary, updating and adapting current methodologies for risk assessment of living modified organisms to organisms resulting from synthetic biology, as appropriate.
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6. Evidence of benefits and adverse effects of synthetic biology vis-à-vis the three objectives of the Convention:
7. (i) The conservation of biological diversity,
8. (ii) The sustainable use of its components and
9. (iii) The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding.
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11. Experiences in conducting risk assessments of organisms, components and products of synthetic biology, including any challenges encountered, lessons learned and implications for risk assessment frameworks;
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13. Examples of risk management and other measures that have been put in place to avoid or minimize the potential adverse effects of organisms, components and products of synthetic biology, including experiences of safe use and best practices for the safe handling of organisms developed through synthetic biology;
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15. Regulations, policies and guidelines in place or under development which are directly relevant to synthetic biology; and
16. Knowledge, experience and perspectives of indigenous peoples and local communities in the context of living in harmony with nature for comparison and better understanding of the potential benefits and adverse effects of synthetic biology.

This information will be made available to the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Synthetic Biology of the CBD, and a newly established open-ended online forum of experts. Info: https://bch.cbd.int/synbio/