Historic UN diversity pact on genetic resources now in effect

A United Nations protocol providing access to and equitable sharing of the world's genetic resources is now in force effective October 12.

Called the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, it provides transparency and equity regarding associated traditional knowledge as well. 

It gives legal framework to ensure that access and utilization of genetic resources coming from plants, animals, bacteria or other organisms for commercial, research or other purposes, be created on the basis of access and benefit-sharing agreements between providers and users. 

This entails prior informed consent and mutually agreed benefit-sharing with indigenous communities, keeping in mind customs and community laws. Benefits received in exchange for access to genetic resources can be monetary or non-monetary, including, for instance, technology transfer, joint research or capacity-building activities. 

The Nagoya Protocol's entry into force ''will create incentives for preserving genetic diversity, biodiversity in general, and associated traditional knowledge,'' said Braulio Ferreira de 

Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). ''It will provide the conditions for continuous research and development on genetic resources.'' 

The historic treaty is the result of decades of negotiations, which culminated in the Protocol being agreed on October 29, 2010, in Nagoya, Japan. With 54 ratifications, it could now enter into force. 

The CBD, which entered into force in December 1993, is an international treaty for the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity and the equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. 

With the Protocol's entry into force, the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House becomes operational. This is a platform where countries can exchange information that enhances legal certainty and transparency on procedures for access and for monitoring the use of genetic resources. It helps connect users and providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. (SciencePhilippines)