Enabling environments are addressed under element 3 of the programme of work on technology transfer and technological and scientific cooperation. Activities under this programme element seek to identify and put in place institutional, administrative, legislative and policy frameworks conducive to private and public sector technology transfer and cooperation, and to remove technical, legislative and administrative barriers to technology transfer technology adaptation.

Parties to the Convention reported on progress made in implementing enabling environments in their third national reports. A synthesis of information provided by Parties in their third national reports on technology transfer and cooperation is available.

To support Parties' activities, and further to a request of the Conference of the Parties at its seventh meeting, the Secretariat of the Convention compiled and synthesized information, and developed guidance for the implementation of enabling environments, for consideration by the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties.

The Conference of the Parties at its eighth meeting decided to establish an Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Technology Transfer and Scientific and Technological Cooperation. The group will further collect, analyze and identify elements of an enabling environment, and will propose stategies for practical implementation of the programme of work.