Digital sequence information on genetic resources

COP 16 and COP-MOP 5 (October 2024)

The Conference of the Parties, at its sixteenth meeting, adopted decision 16/2 on digital sequence information on genetic resources.

With this decision, the COP adopted the modalities for operationalizing the multilateral mechanism for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, including a global fund, as set out in the annex to the decision. The COP decided that the global fund will be known as the Cali Fund for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources.

The COP also decided to explore possible additional modalities of the multilateral mechanism, including, in the context of paragraph 7 of decision 15/9 and the annex to decision 16/2, to take products and services into account. The COP further decided to explore possible new tools and models, such as databases, for making digital sequence information on genetic resources publicly available and accessible in a transparent and accountable manner to all Parties.

The COP invited Parties, other Governments, indigenous people and local communities, and relevant organizations to submit views on the issues referred to in the paragraphs 3 on possible additional modalities and 4 possible new tools and models (including databases) of the decision and requested the Executive Secretary, subject to the availability of resources, to:

1. Synthesize the views submitted;
2. Commission a study to examine options for making digital sequence information on genetic resources publicly available and accessible in a transparent and accountable manner;
3. Submit the synthesis of views and the study to the Subsidiary Body on Implementation for consideration at its sixth meeting;
4. Prepare a study on national and international standards for the identification of the small, medium and large entities referred to in paragraph 3 of the annex to decision 16/2; and
5. Commission a study on contribution rates, including implications for revenue generation and economic competitiveness.

The COP requested the Subsidiary Body on Implementation to consider the synthesis of views and the study mentioned in subparagraphs 6 (a) and (b) of the decision and to make recommendations to the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting on:

1. Possible additional modalities for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources; and
2. Possible tools and platforms, such as databases, for making digital sequence information on genetic resources available and accessible in a transparent and accountable manner.

Additionally, the COP established the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Allocation Methodology tasked with offering guidance on the disbursement of the funds from the Cali Fund, in particular to develop an allocation methodology for disbursing funding from the global fund for consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting, on the basis of the criteria established in enclosure II.

Further, to support the Conference of the Parties in its role as the governing body of the mechanism, a steering committee was established with the terms of reference and composition provided in enclosure IV, under the guidance of the Conference of the Parties. A secretariat with the functions provided in enclosure V is established to serve the Steering Committee and to support the functioning of the mechanism. The operations of the multilateral mechanism will be financed by the global fund.

Finally, the effectiveness of the multilateral mechanism, including the global fund, will be reviewed by the Conference of the Parties at its eighteenth meeting and at every second subsequent meeting against the principles established in decision 15/9, taking into consideration the factors set out in enclosure VI and a methodology to be adopted by the Conference of the Parties at its seventeenth meeting, noting also the relevance of the global reviews of collective progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework due to be conducted for the seventeenth and nineteenth meetings of the Conference of the Parties further to decision 15/6.