The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Access and Benefit-sharing // User-friendly ABS procedures
Tuesday // 4.1.2025

User-friendly ABS procedures

Work on this focus area will be implemented by the German Nagoya Protocol HuB, hosted by the Leibniz Institute DSMZ, in collaboration with the CBD Secretariat and with generous support from the Government of Japan, through the Japan Biodiversity Fund. Selected countries will participate in a project designed to guide them in developing and communicating Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) procedures through the creation of a user-friendly “Easy ABS Guide” that will be published in the ABS Clearing-House. Easy ABS Guides are communication tools specifically designed for users, providing them with straightforward and user-friendly information on how to access resources. Guides will address both commercial and non-commercial access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources For more information and examples of the Easy ABS Guides developed by the German Nagoya Protocol HuB click here.

 

Criteria for selection

Countries interested in developing an Easy ABS Guide with the support of the German Nagoya Protocol HuB must meet the following criteria: 

  • Be a developing country Party to the Nagoya Protocol, or a Party to the Nagoya Protocol with an economy in transition.
  • Have ABS measures and institutional arrangements in place and have published all relevant available information on the ABS Clearing-House.
  • Preferably have prioritized ABS actions in their updated or revised national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPS).

Expectations of selected participants 

The German Nagoya Protocol Hub, in collaboration with the national authorities responsible for ABS of the selected countries, will participate in the co-creation of the Easy ABS Guide.  National authorities are expected to have a good understanding of the ABS measures and access procedures of their country and should be ready to commit the time necessary to produce a quality product and ensure the resulting relevant information is published in the ABS Clearing-House.

It is expected that the national authorities will have the opportunity to share their experiences in the development of ABS procedures and reflect on lessons learned and best practices that could be valuable for other countries both online, at in-person meetings and during an event at COP-MOP 6. 

How to apply

 If your country meets the criteria and is interested in developing an Easy ABS Guide with the support of the German Nagoya Protocol HuB, please complete and submit the expression of interest form and send it to secretariat@cbd.int  with the endorsement from the ABS focal point, by 30 April 2025.  

Please note that the Secretariat will select 10 expressions of interest based on the selection criteria and with due consideration for regional balance.

Download the expression of interest form here:   User Friendly ABS Procedures Expression of Interest Form (3).docx