CONCLUSIONS

1. The OECD Committee for Scientific and Technological Policy (CSTP) met at Ministerial level on 22-23 June 1999. Mr. José Mariano Gago, Minister of Science and Technology of Portugal chaired the meeting, with Mr. Neal Lane, Special Assistant to the President of the United States for Science and Technology and Mr. Thomas Östros, Minister of Education and Science of Sweden as Vice-Chairs.

2. The meeting provided a timely opportunity to discuss new policy challenges arising from the expansion of scientific and technological knowledge, its increasing influence on the patterns and the dynamics of economic growth, and its contribution to sustainable development and social well-being. Ministers highlighted policy priorities in the S&T area to respond to these challenges and agreed on means to step-up co-operation on issues of common concern. ....

10. Recalling the establishment, in the framework of the Rio Convention, of a world-wide mechanism for encouraging, promoting, and facilitating information and data exchange, as well as training in developing countries in the field of biodiversity, Ministers endorsed efforts by interested countries and encouraged initiatives aimed at establishing an international co-ordinating body that would implement a Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The purpose of GBIF is to co-ordinate, as recommended by the Megascience Forum, the standardisation, digitisation and global dissemination (within an appropriate property rights framework) of the world's biodiversity data. Ministers acknowledged the importance of such a facility in the areas of health, resource management, environmental protection, agriculture and education. Ministers welcomed the efforts of several countries to undertake preparatory work necessary for the establishment of GBIF by mid-2000 (see Annex 1). GBIF will work in close co-operation with established programmes and organisations that compile, maintain and use biological information resources, specifically with the Clearing-House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as with the competent national/international organisations (UNEP, UNESCO, and others).

ANNEX 1: DOCUMENT ON THE GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY

Objectives

17. A vast amount of information has been compiled on the properties and functions of Earth's living organisms, and an increasing proportion of this information is contained in large electronic databases. These include biodiversity databases on the distribution of plants, animals and microbes around the globe; detailed genomic maps; compilations of the physiological functions of organisms, and information about the behaviour and function of species within ecosystems. Because these data have been collected and compiled during many unrelated, independent projects, their full potential has not been reaped. There are numerous, as-yet unrealised, applications and opportunities for using this information resource in public policy formulation, economic development, environmental protection, education, and scientific research. Taking advantage of these opportunities will strengthen the utilisation and preservation of global biodiversity resources. Like biodiversity itself, databases and expertise are distributed world-wide. Further, many of the challenges transcend the capabilities and resources of individual nations. Thus, international consultation, co-ordination and collaboration are vital.

Proposal: Global Biodiversity Information Facility

18. Based on a recommendation from the OECD Megascience Forum, Ministers endorsed efforts by interested countries and encouraged initiatives aimed at establishing an international co-ordinating body that would implement a Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Working in conjunction with the GBIF structure, researchers in participating countries will pursue the following activities:

•Synchronising and planning for interoperability of biodiversity databases, including:
•Contributing data, information and resources, within an agreed-upon property rights framework.
•Developing novel user interface designs.
•Developing standards for accessing and linking new and existing databases, including standards and protocols for indexing, validation, documentation and quality control.
•Providing access to new and existing databases.
•Developing partnerships with existing organisations and projects.
•Improving high-speed networking and computation infrastructures.
•Sharing computational facilities, including high-volume data storage.
•Training researchers, data managers, and technicians.