Decision 15/9 : Digital Sequence Information

Digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources emerged as a cross-cutting issue during the UN Biodiversity Conference in 2016. Since then, a number of activities, including an ad hoc technical expert group (AHTEG), studies, an informal advisory group, and a range of informal meetings have taken place to deliberate the principle of fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that arise from the use of DSI and a potential policy governance framework. DSI was also taken up in the context of the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework leading up to the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15). 

Part two COP 15 was held in Montreal in December 2022. At this meeting, the COP adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (decision 15/4) and a number of related decisions, including decision 15/9 on digital sequence information on genetic resources.

Some fundamental principles for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of DSI were agreed upon and a multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from the use of DSI, including a global fund, was established. Parties also agreed on a fair, transparent, inclusive, participatory and time-bound process to further develop and operationalize the mechanism that was agreed upon, encompassing a number of activities for the intersessional period leading up to COP 16.

More information on DSI on genetic resources under the Convention and the Nagoya Protocol is available at the following website: https://www.cbd.int/dsi-gr/.