The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Capacity-building and development

Article 22 of the Nagoya Protocol provides that Parties shall cooperate in the capacity-building, capacity development and strengthening of human resources and institutional capacities to effectively implement the Protocol in developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition. In doing so, Parties are required to fully take into account the needs of developing country Parties and Parties with economies in transition for financial resources and facilitate the involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders.

At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP) adopted the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (decision NP-1/8). Parties, other Governments, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant organizations are invited to develop and implement capacity-building and development activities consistent with the strategic framework, and to share information on capacity-building initiatives and capacity-building resources through the ABS Clearing-House.

  • SUMMARY
  • DECISIONS
  • DOCUMENTS
  • NOTIFICATIONS
  • STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK FOR CAPACITY-BUILDING

Developments since the entry into force of the Protocol

Fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (May 2024)

At its fourth meeting the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI), held from 21 to 29 May 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya, considered a note by the Secretariat containing a draft capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol and adopted recommendation 4/7 in this regard for consideration by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol at its fifth meeting.

Relevant Documents
  • Draft capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol – CBD/SBI/4/8
  • Information supporting the implementation of the capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/SBI/4/INF/3
  • Recommendation 4/7 on the Draft capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol

Fifth meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) on Capacity-building (June 2023)

The fifth meeting of the IAC on capacity-building took place in Montreal, Canada, from 20 to 22 June 2023. The Committee provided advice to the Executive Secretary on the revision of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on the basis of document CBD/NP/CB-IAC/2023/1/2. In this regard, the Committee in its report recommended that the Secretariat revise and shorten the draft action plan and streamline the information contained therein, taking into account the comments provided at the meeting, and make the revised draft available for comments on the online forum set up for the Committee on the ABS Clearing-House platform. Once revised, the draft action plan would be submitted to the Subsidiary Body on Implementation for its consideration.

COP-MOP 4 (December 2022)

The COP-MOP, at its fourth meeting, considered this item on the basis of a note by the Executive Secretary summarizing the progress made on measures to assist in awareness raising (Article 21) and capacity-building and development (Article 22), including with regard to the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building, and adopted decision NP-4/7.

In this decision, the COP-MOP took note of the findings and recommendations of the evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol as contained in documents CBD/SBI/3/16 and CBD/SBI/3/INF/1 and welcomed the recommendations for the improvement of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

The COP-MOP agreed to revise the strategic framework in line with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the findings of the evaluation and requested the Executive Secretary to prepare, in consultation with Parties, a revised strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, for the consideration of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation at its fourth meeting and for adoption by the COP-MOP at its fifth meeting.

Furthermore, COP-MOP decided to extend the mandate of the Informal Advisory Committee until the fifth meeting of COP-MOP and that the Informal Advisory Committee will hold one meeting, and online consultations as needed. COP-MOP also decided to update the terms of reference of the Committee to include supporting the revision and updating of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, and to expand the membership of the Informal Advisory Committee to include representatives of the business sector, the research community and youth.

COP-MOP 4 Decision and Relevant Documents

  • Progress report on measures to assist in capacity-building and awareness raising (Articles 22 & 21) - CBD/NP/MOP/4/5
  • Overview of capacity-building and development initiatives providing direct support to countries for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/NP/MOP/4/INF/1
  • Overview of access and benefit-sharing capacity-building tools and resources - CBD/NP/MOP/4/INF/2

Third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (May-June 2021 and March 2022)

The first part of the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) was held online from 16 May to 13 June 2021, following a preparatory informal session held in February 2021. In preparation for the meeting, a document containing an executive summary of the evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol as well as elements of draft recommendation was made available for consideration by the meeting. The full report of the evaluation was also made available as an information document. At the second part, which took place from 14 to 29 March 2022 in Geneva, Switzerland, SBI-3 considered the documents and adopted Recommendation-3/9 on Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

Relevant Documents

  • Recommendation-3/9 on Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/SBI/REC/3/9
  • Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol – CBD/SBI/3/16
  • Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (full evaluation report) – CBD/SBI/3/INF/1

Fourth meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building (October 2019)

The Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) on Capacity-building convened for the fourth time from 29 to 31 October 2019 in Montreal, Canada. The Committee provided inputs and recommendations for the evaluation of the Strategic Framework for Capacity-building and Development to Support the Effective Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and provided recommendations to the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building beyond 2020. Furthermore, the Committee provided feedback on the toolkit on communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) including considerations for access and benefit-sharing which is available in the six official UN languages. The report of the meeting was considered during SBI-3, as part of the evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

COP-MOP 3 (November 2018)

At its third meeting, COP-MOP adopted decision NP-3/5 based on the report on progress in the implementation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. In the decision, COP-MOP agreed to evaluate the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on the basis of the elements in the annex to the decision. Furthermore, the Parties decided that in the intersessional period the Informal Advisory Committee will hold one meeting, and online consultations as needed.

COP-MOP 3 also requested the Executive Secretary to continue carrying out and facilitating capacity-building activities to support the ratification and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, as set out in the short-term action plan (2017-2020) to enhance and support capacity-building for the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols (annexed to decision NP-2/8 and XIII/23. The Executive Secretary was also requested to prepare an evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development in accordance with decision NP-1/8, paragraph 9(f), and submit the evaluation report for the consideration of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation at its third meeting, with a view to ensuring an effective approach to capacity-building under the Nagoya Protocol that is consistent with the post-2020 global biodiversity framework.

COP-MOP 3 Decision and Relevant Documents

  • Progress report on measures to assist in capacity-building and capacity development (Article 22) - CBD/NP/MOP/3/4
  • Overview of capacity-building and development initiatives providing direct support to countries for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/1
  • Overview of access and benefit-sharing capacity-building tools and resources - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/2
  • Capacity-building programme to support the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol: overview and lessons - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/6

Third meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building (March 2018)

The Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) on Capacity-building convened for the third time from 20 to 22 March 2018 in Montreal. The Committee provided updates on capacity-building and development initiatives as well as tools and resources and agreed on a list of common elements to be considered in the design of future capacity-building projects. Furthermore, the Committee advised the Secretariat on the forthcoming evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The report of the meeting will be made available as an information document to COP-MOP 3.

Relevant Documents
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its third meeting - CBD/ABS/CB-IAC/2018/1/4

COP-MOP 2 (December 2016)

At its second meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP) considered a report on progress made in the implementation of the strategic framework and adopted decision NP-2/8. In the decision, the COP-MOP requested the Executive Secretary to continue facilitating activities supporting the ratification and implementation of the Protocol, as contained in the annex to the decision and as reflected in the Short term Action Plan (2017-2020) to enhance and support capacity-building for the implementation of the Convention and its Protocols (decision XIII/23). The Executive Secretary was also requested to continue gathering information on experiences and lessons learned from capacity-building and development initiatives.

The COP-MOP also invited Parties and others to implement the strategic framework, to make relevant information available to the ABS Clearing-House, and to make use of the tools developed to assess their capacity-building and development needs and submit related requests for assistance.

COP-MOP 2 Decision and Relevant Documents

  • Progress Report on Implementation of the Strategic Framework For Capacity-Building and Development to Support the Effective Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/8
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its First Meeting - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/4
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its Second Meeting - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/5
  • Overview of Capacity-Building and Development Initiatives Providing Direct Support to Countries for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/6
  • Overview of Access and Benefit-Sharing Capacity-Building Tools and Resources - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/7
  • Capacity-Building Programme to Support the Establishment of Legal Frameworks for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol: Overview and Lessons Learned - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/8

First and second meetings of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building (September 2015 and June 2016)

The Informal Advisory Committee (IAC) on Capacity-building held its first meeting from 15 to 17 September 2015 and its second meeting from 15 to 17 June 2016. Among other things, the IAC reviewed the status and scope of existing capacity-building and development initiatives and the available tools and resources supporting the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, and provided advice on the development of common formats for the ABS Clearing-House. The outcomes of these meetings were made available as information documents to COP-MOP 2.

COP-MOP 1 (October 2014)

At its first meeting, the COP-MOP considered the recommendation from the third meeting of ICNP and adopted decision NP-1/8, including the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The COP-MOP also requested the Executive Secretary to: (a) promote and facilitate coordination and cooperation in the implementation of the strategic framework; (b) provide the possibility for submitting and accessing information on capacity-building and development needs, opportunities and activities through all CBD platforms; (c) compile information; and (d) prepare updates on the implementation of the strategic framework and an evaluation for consideration by the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol in 2020.

COP-MOP also established an informal advisory committee to provide advice to the Executive Secretary, until the third meeting of the COP-MOP, on matters related to the assessment of the effectiveness of the strategic framework in accordance with the term of reference contained in annex II to the decision.

COP-MOP 1 Decision and Relevant Documents

Developments prior to the entry into force of the Protocol

Prior to the entry into force of the Protocol, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol (ICNP) was established by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (decision X/1) to undertake the preparations for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.

ICNP-3 (February 2014)

At its third meeting, the ICNP adopted recommendation 3/5 and agreed to a draft decision on measures to assist in capacity-building and development, including the draft strategic framework, and forwarded it for consideration and adoption by the first meeting of the COP-MOP.

INCP-3 Recommendation

Expert meeting (June 2013)

An Expert Meeting met from 3 to 5 June 2013 and developed a draft strategic framework for consideration by the third meeting of the ICNP.

ICNP-2 (July 2012)

At its second meeting, the ICNP adopted recommendation 2/5, by which Parties agreed that a strategic framework should guide the capacity-building and development policies and actions of Parties, donors and other actors and include a set of practical capacity-building and development activities in support of the effective implementation of the Protocol. It also recommended to the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP-11) a possible process for the development of the strategic framework.

In decision XI/1, section D, COP-11 requested the Executive Secretary to organize an expert meeting to develop the strategic framework based on the synthesis of domestic needs and priorities as well as the elements of the strategic framework prepared for the second meeting of the ICNP (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/2/10), the experiences and lessons learned from existing ABS-related capacity-building and development initiatives and ABS-related bilateral cooperation, and the summary of views expressed at the second meeting of the ICNP.

INCP-2 Recommendation

ICNP-1 (June 2011)

At its first meeting, the ICNP adopted recommendation 1/2 and proposed the development of a strategic framework for capacity-building and development under the Nagoya Protocol to assist in the implementation of Article 22 on the basis of domestic needs and priorities identified by Parties and indigenous and local communities. In this regard, the Executive Secretary developed and disseminated questionnaires to assist Parties and relevant stakeholders to identify and submit their needs and priorities, as well as views on the proposed elements of the strategic framework. The information and views received through the questionnaires were synthesized by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/2/10) and made available to the second meeting of the ICNP.

INCP-1 Recommendation

COP-MOP Decisions

  • Decision NP-4/7 on measures to assist in capacity-building (Article 22) and awareness raising (Article 21)
  • Decision NP-3/5 on measures to assist in capacity-building and capacity development (Article 22)
  • Decision NP-2/8 on measures to assist in capacity-building and capacity development (Article 22)
  • Decision NP-1/8 on measures to assist in capacity-building and capacity development (Article 22), including the Strategic Framework for capacity-building and development

COP-MOP Documents

Intersessional Period 2023-2024 (COP-MOP 5)

  • SBI recommendation 4/7 on the Draft capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/SBI/REC/4/7
  • Draft capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol – CBD/SBI/4/8
  • Information supporting the implementation of the capacity-building and development action plan for the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/SBI/4/INF/3
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its fifth meeting - CBD/ABS/CB-IAC/2023/1/3

Intersessional Period 2019-2022 (COP-MOP 4)

  • Progress report on measures to assist in capacity-building and awareness raising (Articles 22 & 21) - CBD/NP/MOP/4/5
  • Overview of capacity-building and development initiatives providing direct support to countries for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/NP/MOP/4/INF/1
  • Overview of access and benefit-sharing capacity-building tools and resources - CBD/NP/MOP/4/INF/2
  • SBI-3 Recommendation on the Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol Recommendation SBI-3/9
  • Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/SBI/3/16
  • Evaluation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (full evaluation report) – CBD/SBI/3/INF/1
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its fourth meeting - CBD/ABS/CB-IAC/2019/1/4

Intersessional Period 2017-2018 (COP-MOP 3)

  • Progress report on measures to assist in capacity-building and capacity development (Article 22) - CBD/NP/MOP/3/4
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its third meeting - CBD/ABS/CB-IAC/2018/1/4
  • Overview of capacity-building and development initiatives providing direct support to countries for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/1
  • Overview of access and benefit-sharing capacity-building tools and resources - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/2
  • Capacity-building programme to support the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol: overview and lessons - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/6

Intersessional Period 2015-2016 (COP-MOP 2)

  • Progress Report on Implementation of the Strategic Framework For Capacity-Building and Development to Support the Effective Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/8
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its First Meeting - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/4
  • Report of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on its Second Meeting - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/5
  • Overview of Capacity-Building and Development Initiatives Providing Direct Support to Countries for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/6
  • Overview of Access and Benefit-Sharing Capacity-Building Tools and Resources - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/7
  • Capacity-Building Programme to Support the Establishment of Legal Frameworks for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol: Overview and Lessons Learned - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/INF/8

Latest notifications

Intersessional Period 2023-2024

  • 2023-04-14 - Composition of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2023-042)
  • 2023-02-08 - Nominations for the fifth meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2023-008)

Intersessional Period 2019-2022

  • 2021-05-17 - Invitation to Share Information on Capacity Development and Awareness-Raising related to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and to provide feedback on the CEPA Toolkit - Including Considerations for Access and Benefit-sharing (2021-037)
  • 2019-07-05 - Composition of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2019-057)
  • 2019-04-05 - Nominations to the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2019-039)

Intersessional Period 2017-2018

  • 2018-01-25 - Composition of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2018-018)
  • 2017-12-06 - Extension of Deadline: 22 December 2017: Nominations for the third meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2017-135)
  • 2017-12-04 - Call for Expressions of Interest to Participate in the Capacity-building Programme on Establishing Measures to Implement the Nagoya Protocol (2017-133)
  • 2017-11-03 - Nominations for the third meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2017-113)

Intersessional Period 2017-2018

  • 2015-07-06 - Composition of the first meeting of the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2015-074)
  • 2015-05-27 - REMINDER: Nominations for the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2015-062)
  • 2015-05-05 - Nominations for the Informal Advisory Committee on Capacity-building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol (2015-050)

Strategic Framework for Capacity-building and Development

At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP) adopted the Strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (annex to decision NP-1/8) which seeks to foster a strategic, coherent and coordinated approach to capacity-building and development.

The strategic framework is designed to serve as a reference document to guide the policies and actions of Parties, relevant organizations and donors in relation to capacity-building and development for implementation of the Protocol and includes a set of practical activities to build and develop the capacities of Parties, indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders. It covers five key areas:
  1. Capacity to implement, and to comply with the obligations of, the Protocol;
  2. Capacity to develop, implement and enforce domestic legislative, administrative or policy measures on access and benefit-sharing;
  3. Capacity to negotiate mutually agreed terms;
  4. Capacity of indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders, including the business sector and the research community, in relation to the implementation of the Protocol;
  5. Capacity of countries to develop endogenous research capabilities to add value to their own genetic resources.
A comprehensive evaluation of the strategic framework will be carried out in 2020. The evaluation report will be used by the COP-MOP to review and revise, as appropriate, the strategic framework in conjunction with the review of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

Parties, other Governments and relevant stakeholders are invited to share information about their capacity-building initiatives, including emerging experiences, best practices and lessons learned, and capacity-building resources through the ABS Clearing-House.