Libya strengthens its action on biodiversity and biosafety

5 and 6 September 2026, Tripoli

The Libyan Ministry of Environment, with the support of the Sahara and Sahel Observatory, organized a national workshop in Tripoli on 5 and 6 September 2026 dedicated to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and biodiversity reporting.

The workshop brought together representatives of Libyan institutions and organizations working on biodiversity, environment, agriculture, health, research and biosafety, as well as academic and scientific stakeholders. It provided an opportunity to discuss national priorities related to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to review needs related to the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol.

Discussions focused in particular on key biodiversity challenges, national commitments and the roles of the different stakeholders. They also helped identify needs related to data, knowledge, coordination, and technical and scientific cooperation.

The OSS presented the Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centre (TSCC), its mandate and opportunities for cooperation with Libya. Discussions highlighted several areas of interest, including knowledge and data sharing, technical and scientific support, and assistance with the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Particular attention was given to the Cartagena Protocol, Libya’s institutional and regulatory framework, the fifth national report and the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH). Participants reviewed available information and identified needs to improve monitoring and information sharing on biosafety.

Ahead of the CBD COP17 and the COP-MOP 12 to the Cartagena Protocol, scheduled to take place from 19 to 30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia, the workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss Libya’s priorities and prospects for its participation in these international meetings.

The discussions identified several follow-up areas related to coordination, data, knowledge and technical and scientific cooperation, supporting Libya’s national priorities in the fields of biodiversity and biosafety.