‘Biobanks (and Biomolecular Resources Centres)’ means collections, repositories and distribution centres of all types of human biological samples, such as blood, tissues, cells or DNA and/or related data such as associated clinical and research data, as well as biomolecular resources, including model- and micro-organisms that might contribute to the understanding of the physiology and diseases of humans.

Based on its unique expertise through a worldwide network, comprising over 280 facilities in 85 countries, and the International Data Centre (IDC), the Preparatory Commission is the sole organisation with the capacity to implement those projects, which can only be financed through an extra-budgetary contribution to the Preparatory Commission.

The EU 2010 biodiversity baseline and the updated EU biodiversity indicators [17] will be key components of this framework, which will also draw on other data and information, such as that produced by the Shared Environmental Information System and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security, the European Forest Data Centre and the LUCAS Land Use Cover Area Frame Survey.

All components of the CTBT’s unique verification system — the IMS with a global network of 337 monitoring facilities, the International Data Centre (IDC) for the analysis of large amount of data and an OSI regime that includes a series of complex technologies — are dependent on ongoing development of science and technology and a close relation to, and interaction with, the scientific community.

IV. Monitoring of the epidemiological situation in the CommunityIn the light of the considerable work already done to improve the general system for gathering epidemiological data, and notably the conclusions of the Council and the Ministers for Health meeting within the Council on 15 December 1988 and 16 May 1989 (1), the Member States and the Commission are requested, each as far as it is concerned, to:- continue improving the general system for gathering epidemiological data, and particularly national monitoring systems,-forward regularly to the European Centre for the Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (WHO-EC Collaboration Centre i ...[+++]n Paris) the available epidemiological data and provide suitable access to the Centre's database,-develop coordinated epidemiological studies for assessing the present situation and the possible spread of the epidemic,-take account of the above information when subsequently developing strategies for prevention and care,-develop, together with experts designated by the Member States and the European Centre, methodological approaches to ensure greater comparability of epidemiological data.

13. The Commission also highlights the four main strands of its response to the international challenges of environment policy: to place sustainable development at the centre of the international agenda by continuing to act as a driving force; to strengthen the coherence between EU internal and external policies and to further integrate environmental concerns into its external policies; to contribute to creating the conditions for global sustainable development; and to enhance the EU's voice in the international environmental debate.