The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Access and Benefit-sharing // ABS in practice
Friday // 8.26.2022

The Nagoya Protocol is contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity


Some examples of contributions highlighted by countries in general:

  • Managers of natural resources or authorities are more aware of the potential advantages of the Nagoya Protocol and are developing conservation practices;
  • Implementing the Nagoya Protocol helped improving the knowledge about species, including through the development of databases or inventories and their population, and supports the valorization of genetic resources and special conservation approaches;
  • Increased involvement of communities in conservation and sustainable use;
  • Increased compliance by users of genetic resources;
  • Recognition of research and development as a key to the country's valorization of genetic resources;
  • Factoring elements of biodiversity conservation and use in government development agenda, including the 2030 Agenda

Source: Key finding from the first assessment and review of the Protocol-NP-3/1, Annex I, element (b)

Examples of country experiences on how implementation of the Nagoya Protocol is contributing to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

  • In Madagascar, as the local communities of Analavory and Antavolobe were developing a community protocol, they also established community seed banks, as well as an investment plan in which they are defining activities to collaborate proactively with users, research institutions and breeders. As part of the process of developing a community protocol they also documented use of traditional knowledge and identified traditional medicine recipes made of genetic resources from the sacred forest, 40 of which were selected by a national research institute for further utilisation.
  • South Africa indicated that implementation of the Nagoya Protocol has led to the development of a national species management plan for Pelargonium species and a resource assessment for Aloe ferox species, and that a number of species utilized for ABS are being cultivated in order to reduce pressure on the wild population.
  • In Cameroon communities received benefits from the sales of resources which were the subject of ABS agreements. Also, laboratory material was offered to the University of Dschang and local researchers from the university were involved in the research. Videos of ABS happening in Cameroon:
  • Ethiopia reported that the initial phase of an ABS agreement created job opportunities for 857 youth in local communities.
  • Benin reported having received the following non-monetary benefits: collaboration and cooperation on research and development with national research institutions, joint publications with laboratories in Benin, access to databases and ex-situ collections, and targeted specialised trainings.
  • Peru reported having received various non-monetary benefits, including the enhancement of national capacities, and transfer of knowledge and technology, improvement of national researchcontributing to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and the strengthening and development of capacities of indigenous peoples and local communities with regards to associated traditional knowledge.
  • In Madagascar users of genetic resources have financed research institutions, master students and the installation of a new arboretum of endemic species.
  • Bhutan received capacity-building on laboratory techniques for plant analysis, natural product development and documentation of traditional knowledge.
  • In Panama the fees for applying for scientific permits are directed to work on protected areas
  • Vietnam provides that 50% to 70% of monetary benefits from use of genetic resources will be directed to the state budget for conservation and sustainable use.
  • In India the amount accrued from ABS at the state level has been distributed to the Biodiversity Management Committees for biodiversity conservation, including for conservation of bamboo, broomgrass, cotton, wild cardamom, and many other commercially significant crops.
  • A national park in south-eastern France has signed a benefit-sharing agreement with a company to support activities that promote local and native biodiversity including mapping of priority habitats, scientific studies on flora and fauna, habitats management projects for vulnerable species. For more information see: https://www.firmenich.com/sites/default/files/ESG_Report_FY21.pdf (page 56)
  • South Africa announced the launch of the industry-wide Benefit Sharing Agreement on Traditional Knowledge associated with Rooibos. The agreement recognizes that the Rooibos and its use is part of the San and Khoi people of South Africa's traditional knowledge, and that its exploitation and commercialization by the Rooibos industry should come with adequate compensation. Click here for more information

Source: Interim national reports and submissions for the first assessment and review of the Protocol unless otherwise mentioned