The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
Between the 13th to the 16th of November 2017, UN Environment facilitated a capacity-building session for Francophone West African countries alongside fostering consultations between stakeholders. The workshop’s aim was to support these nations in moving from ratification to implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The workshop achieved objectives:
- Improved West African Francophone countries’ understanding of access to genetic resources, benefit sharing principles and mechanisms;
- Strengthened the capacity of these nations’ governments to initiate legal and regulatory frameworks on access and benefit sharing;
- Shared knowledge and experiences gathered in the course of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol at National Level;
- Developed national roadmaps for each country as a tool to support implementation;
- Contributed to the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Africa to ensure appropriate access to genetic resources and transfer of relevant technologies.
The workshop was part of UN Environment’s Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific Multilateral Environmental Agreements Program project. Funded by the European Commissions, the project strengthens and supports institutions and other stakeholders involved in the mainstreaming and implementation of Multilateral Environmental Agreements in the aforementioned regions.
A key tool for facilitating the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol is the access and benefit sharing clearing-house. The Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing house makes information regarding access and benefit sharing- such as necessary procedures and monitoring the utilization of genetic resources- readily available. This facilitates and increases opportunities for users and providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge to connect and create fair and equitable ABS agreements.
The Nagoya Protocol will create greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources by:
- Establishing more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources.
- Helping to ensure benefit-sharing when genetic resources leave the country providing the genetic resources
For more information please contact Emmanuel.Adonsou@un.org
