Biotechnology and its potential impact on agriculture in developing countries will be the theme of an international conference on October 21-22, 1999 at the World Bank in Washington, DC. The conference, Ensuring Food Security, Protecting the Environment, Reducing Poverty in Developing Countries: Can Biotechnology Help? is sponsored by the CGIAR in partnership with the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS).

There are two key objectives: (1) to broaden awareness of developing countries views on issues associated with biotechnology and experiences with its use; and (2) to contribute to a better understanding of the scientific evidence underlying the risk and public policy issues related to biotechnology and how they might be addressed. By providing a forum for scientific debate and review of the best evidence on these issues, the conference aims to advance public understanding through participatory debate.

Representatives of national research organizations, academics, scientists, international agricultural researchers, non-governmental and community-based organizations, the private sector, development communicators, and the media have been invited to contribute their perspectives. The conference will explore a diverse range of issues technological, environmental, ethical, economic, and social specifically regarding the needs of small farmers in developing countries.

Senior policy makers from developing countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean will share their views on and experiences with biotechnology in a series of parallel sessions. Small group discussions will address the following questions:

• What are the opportunities for deploying biotechnological approaches?

• What are the constraints to using these approaches?

• How can the CGIAR and international agricultural research centers assist developing countries to build national capacity in areas of biotechnology, including risk and regulatory issues and intellectual property management?

Critical issues and public concerns related to biotechnology, particularly in the context of developing countries, will be discussed in plenary. Topics to be addressed are:

• Risks to agriculture and environment

• Risks to human health

• Risks and impact on social and economic order

• Ethical challenges

• Roles of public and private sectors in biotechnology research for developing country agriculture

• Intellectual property rights

A special session on Communicating Biotechnology will focus on the important role of the media in informing the public about risks and benefits and in promoting a balanced discussion of the issues. The closing plenary will be devoted to presentation of a summary report. CGIAR and NAS will publish the proceedings of the conference.

Conference Cosponsors include: The UN Food and Agriculture Organization; Global Forum on Agricultural Research; International Council for Science; International Fund for Agricultural Development; Third World Academy of Sciences; United Nations Development Programme; United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; United Nations Environment Programme; United Nations Industrial Development Organization; and Union of Concerned Scientists.