Ukraine has ratified the amendment on public participation in decisions on the deliberate release into the environment and placing on the market of genetically modified organisms (GMO amendment) to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention). This ratification triggers the entry into force of the GMO amendment following its adoption by Convention Parties 20 years ago. The amendment will become effective on 20 April 2025.
This means that the 33 Parties that have ratified the GMO amendment (including the European Union) as well as all UN Member States joining the amendment or the Convention in the future - must establish in their regulatory framework effective means to ensure transparency and public participation in related decisions.
Ms. Tatiana Molcean, UNECE Executive Secretary, stated: "Ukraine's ratification of the GMO amendment to the Aarhus Convention, which brings it into force, is a milestone for the public's role in decision making on this crucial topic for health and the environment and has a far-reaching effect on present and future Parties. This decision demonstrates the country's commitment to transparency and inclusive and effective decision-making in this challenging area. I encourage all Aarhus Convention Parties to ratify the amendment, and hope this step for multilateralism will further inspire our joint action for sustainable development".
While the Aarhus Convention already establishes as law for its 47 Parties the public's rights to information, participation and justice regarding environmental matters, the GMO amendment introduces further clarification and specific provisions on this complex topic.
The work on GMOs under the Aarhus Convention is led by Austria.
Safeguarding against GMO risks amid growing use
Cultivation of genetically modified seeds is on the rise worldwide and there has been diversification in terms of the types of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) grown in addition to the initial three (maize, soybean and cotton). Worldwide, the planting area of GM crops is estimated to have grown 121-fold since 1996, and now accounts for around 13% of the total farmland area, exceeding 3.4 billion hectares.
The release of GMOs entails potential risks to human health and the environment, including to biodiversity. The increased use of GMO crops over the past decades has coincided with increased use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals in agriculture, and a growth in weed resistance. Global pesticide use increased 13% since 2002 and has doubled since 1990, according to FAO.
It is therefore essential to ensure that the public has complete access to all relevant information and is aware of, and can effectively participate in, decision-making regarding GMO-related matters. The Aarhus Convention, strengthened by its GMO amendment, offers all UN Member States and stakeholders a solid framework for engaging the public in such decision-making.
In addition to supporting the transition towards a green economy and many Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goal 2 (Zero hunger), Goal 15 (Life on land) and Goal 16 (Peace, justice and strong institutions), the GMO amendment will help to advance the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which has been a long-standing partner agreement for the Aarhus Convention.
