Archiving and distribution of electronic documents
In the context of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme and the Convention on Biological Diversity, which has been ratified by the EU and under which certain obligations must be met, the European Commission intends to conclude contracts for outside advice on analytical and legal aspects of the programme.The work will concern the Community action and obligations under Article 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which covers access to genetic resources, and Article 16 of the same Convention, which concerns access to, and transfer of, technology.The aim of the Community action is to find ways to exploit biological resources in a sustainable way while also ensuring the sharing of the results of research and development and the division of benefits arising from the commercial exploitation of these resources.Community action will find itself on the interface between the public and private sectors, as the fulfilment of the obligations under Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention implies arrangements in the public sector as well as in the private sector. This is complicated by the fact that arrangements and agreements will take place on an international level. Thus, the services to be provided include:- The identification and spelling out in detail of concrete policy measures and legislation, which would contribute to the fulfilment of Community obligations under Articles 15 and 16 of the Convention on Biological Diversity and especially measures aiming at the following:. The sharing in a fair and equitable way of the results of research and development based on genetic resources; . The sharing of benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of genetic resources with the countries providing such resources;- The elaboration of scientifically and economically based argumentation in favour of Community action in the abovementioned areas.Requests for invitations to tender should be made to: European Commission DG XI/3 Mr. J. J. Groenendaal 200 rue de la Loi (BU5/3-178) B-1049 Brussels Fax +32-2-2991069