The main objectives of this initial strategy are to: a) assist countries in the establishment of national biosafety frameworks, b) promote information sharing and collaboration, especially at the regional and subregional level, and c) promote collaboration with other organizations to assist capacity-building for the Protocol. The proposed activities that contribute to the achievement of the objectives are: a) a project to assist in establishing national biosafety frameworks in interested countries signatory to the Protocol; b) a limited number of demonstration projects to assist in implementing the national biosafety frameworks; c) coordination with other organizations to provide biosafety-related assistance; d) when timely, support for countries to participate in the biosafety clearing-house; and e) enhancement of the scientific and technical advice to the GEF on biosafety issues.