By 2030, Dominica aims to strengthen biosafety governance and capacity, including risk assessment, regulation, public awareness and monitoring related to biotechnology, including Living Modified Organisms (LMOs), consistent with national legislation. The target aims to support informed decisions and the safe handling and use of modern biotechnology, protecting biodiversity while taking potential risks to human health into account. Clear procedures, scientific assessment and accessible information will support responsible research and applications consistent with national priorities for food security, sustainable use and environmental protection.

Dominica aims to develop and operationalise a coherent biosafety policy, legislative and administrative framework. This will clarify institutional responsibilities and establish practical procedures for assessing and managing potential risks associated with LMOs, including relevant import, research, handling, use and release activities. Priority actions include scientifically sound, case-by-case risk assessment, transparent decision-making, appropriate authorisation conditions and monitoring. Procedures will address documentation, safe handling and emergency response, with coordinated screening and inspection arrangements, including during disaster relief operations. Implementation will strengthen access to specialist advice and appropriate national or regional detection and identification services. Training and standard operating procedures will support consistent application by responsible institutions. Public awareness, consultation and accessible information will help communities understand biosafety decisions and participate meaningfully. A coordinated national information system, linked as appropriate to the Biosafety Clearing House, will support information exchange and reporting.

Access to financial resources: Implementation requires sustained financing for framework development, specialist expertise, testing services, monitoring, training and public information.

Biodiversity and health: Biosafety measures will assess and manage potential adverse effects on biodiversity, taking risks to human health into account.

Collective effort towards the targets: The target promotes coordinated contributions across public institutions, research organisations, businesses and communities.

Consistency with international agreements or instruments: The framework will support relevant biosafety objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Cartagena Protocol through national procedures and capacity development.

Cooperation and synergies: Implementation connects biosafety with agriculture, food security, environmental management, trade, research and public information, supported by coordination among related systems.

Ecosystem approach: Risk assessment will consider the receiving environment, ecological interactions and potential effects on biodiversity, including genetic diversity.

Formal and informal education: Practical training and balanced public information will support understanding of modern biotechnology, risk assessment, national procedures and opportunities for participation.

Fulfilment of the three objectives of the Convention and its Protocols, and their balanced implementation:Biosafety primarily supports conservation and sustainable use. Coordination with relevant benefit sharing arrangements can address the use of genetic resources in biotechnology.

Intergenerational equity: Informed biosafety decisions will help safeguard biodiversity, agricultural genetic resources and ecosystem functions for future generations.

National circumstances, priorities and capabilities: Implementation reflects Dominica’s small island context, reliance on imported goods and agricultural inputs, disaster response needs and available technical capacity.

Right to development: Clear biosafety procedures will support responsible research and appropriate biotechnology applications while protecting biodiversity and considering national development priorities.

Science and innovation: Scientific risk assessment, detection methods and monitoring will inform decisions, supported by access to expertise and research cooperation.

Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach: Implementation promotes institutional coordination and inclusive participation, including engagement with the Kalinago people and local communities in relevant consultations and awareness activities.

National Target 17 addresses the biosafety component of GBF Target 17 through strengthened governance, capacity, risk assessment, regulation, public awareness and monitoring related to biotechnology and LMOs. The current wording does not explicitly address participation in biotechnology research or fair and equitable access to biotechnology results and benefits. These are areas for clarification as implementation arrangements are developed, rather than evidence of deliberate exclusion. Relevant measures could include research partnerships, capacity development and coordination with access and benefit sharing arrangements. Any future reassessment can consider the scope and status of agreed measures addressing both biosafety and the distribution of biotechnology benefits.

No formal non-State actor commitments are recorded towards this national target. Opportunities for voluntary contributions and partnerships can be further developed during implementation.

Additional financing, technical assistance and institutional capacity are needed to develop and apply a coordinated biosafety framework. Priorities include clear mandates, practical assessment and decision-making procedures, specialist training and access to appropriate detection and identification services. Support is also needed for inspection and monitoring, emergency-response procedures, secure information management and Biosafety Clearing House reporting. Regional cooperation can help provide expertise and services suited to national needs. Accessible public education and meaningful consultation will support informed participation. Implementation planning will account for limited specialist capacity, financing and data, as well as the need to maintain effective procedures during emergencies and recovery operations.