Status of ICT structure, infrastructure and applications existed to manage and disseminate information and knowledge of Agricultural Biotechnology Innovations in Syria,

1. Status of ICT structure, infrastructure and applications
existed to manage and disseminate information and
knowledge of Agricultural Biotechnology Innovations
in Syria
Hamdi Alsaffouri and Ahmad Abdul kader
General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR), Douma, P.O.Box 113, Damascus, Syria.
Fax: 00 963 11 5757992/ Tel.: 00 963 95 674 9 671/
E-mails: hmo8611@yahoo.com /ahmad59@gmx.de
2-
4/7/2012
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT

2. 2
Introduction
Introduction
Objectives
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Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012

3. ICT Status in Syria
 ICT: Information and Communications Technology is a term that
stresses the role of unified communications and the integration of
telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers,
middleware as well as necessary software, storage- and audio-visual systems,
which enable users to create, access, store, transmit, and manipulate
information.
 ICT in a restricted mean here is used to indicate the path that
my organization and the GMOs involved organizations in Syria
have taken for their ICT needs.
 So, in Syria, the management of the telephone network with the
computer network system using a single unified system of
cabling, signal distribution and management is all controlled by
the Ministry of Communications in Syria. So, telephone
networks with computer networks are distributed all around
Syria and connected with the WWW. ADSL gates are also
available for private and public.
Agri. Biotech.. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 3

4. 4
Web-based information dissemination
Access to Information of
GMOs and Biosafety–related
OIbnjtercotidveusction
issues through BCH
- ICT infrastructure -
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Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012

5. ICT & Biosafety in Syria
 Biosafety guidelines in Syria by NBC as early as 2001.
 Syria has completed its NBF under
UNEP-GEF projects at the end of 2006.
 Biosafety legislation was approved recently by the
PM in Syria and is expected either to the Parliament
of will be issued by the president as presidential
decree very soon.
 FAO Regional Project – TCP/RAB/3202
http://rabnena.net/FrontEnd/BestPractice/BestPractices.aspx?lang=EN and
http://www.rabnena.net/FrontEnd/BestPractice/BestPracticeDetails.aspx?Id=40〈=EN
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 5

6. Biosafety Clearing House and access approach to the
information regarding GMOs in Syria through BCH
The main categories of information in the BCH are:
 National Focal Points (NFPs):
- Contact details of the NFPs of different Parties for ( CBD,CBP,BCH).
- National point of contact for receiving notifications regarding
unintentional transboundary movements of LMOs.
- Competent national authorities (CNAs)
 Laws and regulations (General conventions, Links to regulatory
websites, Countries current regulations & competent authorities).
 Risk Assessments (Also, National Testing Laboratories, Countries
laboratories profiles and testing strategies,…)
 Determine the Novel / unique traits of Identity:
which include a record for classification of the novel and unique identity
 Capacity- Building ...
 Roster of experts
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 6

7. Access approach to the information regarding GMOs in
Syria through BCH
 web site of the CBD under the following web address:
http://bch.biodiv.org/
 The guidance for national participation in the BCH are
available on: http//bch.biodiv.org/.
 http://www.syrbch.org
 This portal should be developed well (coding:
HTML, CMS: Adaptation of open CMS & Desigin: Creation of a
new and open templates) and maintained frequently
(updating /optimization, Accounts Management,
Traffic analysis)
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 7

8. How Access to the National Biosafety database at the BCH of Syria
 One can find the information through search on
the data bases.
 Using fast search procedures
 http://www.syrbch.org
Home Page
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 8

9. Responsible institutes regarding providing information to
BCH in Syria
 Ministry of Environment (Focal Point of BCH, Mr.
Bilal Alhayek).
 GCSAR, Biosafety Section ( Ahmad Abdul kader)
 AEC (Mr. Housam Alfaouri)
 General Commission of Biotechnology (GCBT),
Ministry of Higher Education (Mr. Rashed
Toumeh).

Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 9

10. BCH & ICT
A key element for the successful management and sustainable
development of information sharing is the involvement and
participation of a wide range of National Stakeholders involved in the country.
This critical task greatly depends on the National Focal Point’s ability
to co-ordinate this participatory process and on the Stakeholders’
capacity to use it as a means to effectively enriches the National Program on
biotechnology.
Needs and Responsibilities
 Online access
 Information collection (GM Food & Feed list: Review of
publications, Links to pre-existing databases,….)
Information exchange (National Testing Laboratories, Countries
laboratories profiles and testing strategies, GM testing methods / events:
Publications & Links to pre-existing databases, Meetings & conferences, Risk
assessment, public awareness, Scientific Forum,….).
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 10

11. 11
Intellectual Property Rights
Policies for the application of IPR to products arising from
biotechnology are to be formulated.
Syria signed the TRIPS agreement and have been a UPOV
membership. Considering the potential income generation from
royalties and the licensing of novel materials and techniques,
researchers and institutes where government funding is rather low
may very well benefit from such legislation.
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights (TRIPS) under the World Trade Organization, establishes
minimum standards of IPR protection. According to the TRIPS
agreement, plant varieties must be protectable either by patents or
by the breeder’s rights provided in the conventions of UPOV.
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012

12. Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 12

13. • Limited access to and sharing of information, Weak networks
• Poor communication and dialogue among stakeholder groups
• Poor public understanding
• Uncertain policy environment
• Within the framework of the GEF project, Ministry of Environment had to
provide each party involved in GMOs and Biosafety with ADSL gate with the
necessary computers so that each party have access to the net in order to
provide the focal point of BCH in Syria with up-to-date information, but this
not achieved.
• Lack of functioning biosafety systems and standardized procedures for the
management of GMOs at various ports of entry.
• Lack of funding, national commitment, political will, good governance, wise
policies, appropriate infrastructure and investment.
• Tools for technology transfer inadequate and often inaccessible
• Lack of institutional infrastructure and capacity
13
Weakness, Situation analysis and conclusions
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012

14. Weakness, Situation analysis and conclusions cont.
• Trained staff in different modern biotechnology methods, GMOs
detection and monitoring as well as ICT is required.
• Tools for technology transfer inadequate and often inaccessible.
• Limited national funding and investments / mostly overseas.
• Inadequate infrastructure and supporting facilities
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 14

15. Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 15

16. Recommendations
 Providing support for good infrastructure and
capacity building in ICT management addressing
in particular GMO production, risk assessment
and all biosafety related issues.
 Ensuring the judicious and wise use of modern
biotechnology in order not to jeopardize the
environment and human health with good public
awareness and dissemination of information.
 Understanding societies’ expectations and
international regulations on handling GMOs .
 Better, Pick up a phone, easy to connect.
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 16

17. The Way Forward and Next Steps
1. Capacity Building: Develop a critical mass in terms of human
resources and laboratory facilities with appropriate infrastructure
including ICT for sharing information, experiences and expertise.
2. Strengthen Biotechnology and biosafety research capabilities &
formulating clear, science-based, biotechnology policy
framework involving all stakeholders, which provide for an
effective IPR system, incentives for local investment and
innovation.
3. Train relevant officers and technicians at the national level, and
develop a national (regional) platform for information sharing and
networking amongst laboratory technical staff in biotechnology,
RA and GMOs detection .
4. Providing support for capacity building in agri. biotechnology addressing in
particular GMOs production and their related risks assessment.
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 17

18. The Way … cont.
5. Initiating E- News service to provide wide circulation of
information on significant developments in agricultural
biotechnology & Database on agricultural biotechnology
institutes in Syria.
6. Monthy (or: bi-weekly) News Updates on research and
development in Syria
Themes to be covered:
• Agronomic traits (yield, nutrition and quality,…)
• Disease and Insects Resistance
• Biosafety (RA, …..)
• basic biotechnology research
• ……………
 AEC News letter is already being published monthly.
Agri. Biotech. Knowledge Network for Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Knowledge Sharing.” AARINENA WS- Cairo, EGYPT 2-4/7/2012 18