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English: PNG delegates to the APEC High Level Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology sharing their experiences during a news conference held recently at the Embassy.(© PD/Embassy Port Moresby)

The fifth Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) High Level Policy Dialogue on Agriculture Biotechnology (Policy Dialogue) took place in Hanoi, Vietnam from 26-27 February 2006. This important dialogue included high-level biotechnology policy makers from all APEC countries. The United States provided sponsorship funding for two-biotechnology policy makers each from Chile, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, and Thailand to attend the meeting.

The high-level policy officials met in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, for the Private Sector Day (PSD) and the fifth annual High Level Policy Dialogue on Agricultural Biotechnology (Policy Dialogue). Acting Deputy Secretary for Corporate Services and Policy, Mr. Vele Kagena and Director Policy, Mrs. Cecilia Kagena, both from the Department of Agriculture and Livestock led the PNG delegation. Dr. J.B. Penn, USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, and FAS Administrator Ellen Terpstra led the U.S. interagency delegation. The Policy Dialogue covered development, implementation and communication of biotechnology policy and the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. An executive summary of the proceeding was submitted to and noted by APEC Senior Officials.