What is Nagoya Protocol?

About Nagoya Protocol:

• The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (the Protocol) is a legally binding global agreement that implements the access and benefit-sharing obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
• It was adopted by the CBD in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010 and entered into force on October 12, 2014, 90 days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. 
• It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

What are the benefits?

• It establishes a frame­work that helps researchers access genetic re­sources for biotechnology research, development, and other activities, in return for a fair share of any benefits from their use. 
• This provides the research and development sector with the certainty they need to invest in biodiversity-based research.
• Indigenous and local communities may receive benefits through a legal framework that respects the value of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

What does the Nagoya Protocol cover?

• It applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD, and to the benefits arising from their utilization.
• It also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and the benefits arising from their utilization.

Key Facts about Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):

• CBD, with currently 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive binding international agreementin the field of nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
• It was opened for signing at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. 

It has three overarching objectives:

• The conservation of biological diversity (genetic diversity, species diversity, and habitat diversity).
• The sustainable use of biological diversity.
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources.

• It covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. 
• The Conference of the Parties (COP) isthe highest political decision-making body of the Convention.
• The Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada. 
• To support implementation of the CBD objectives, two internationally binding agreements were adopted within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• The Cartagena Protocol, which was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in 2003, regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs).
• The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, establishes a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use. 

Q1: What are living modified organisms (LMOs)?

“Living modified organism” means any living organism that possesses a novel combination of genetic material obtained through the use of modern biotechnology. LMOs are also commonly referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Source:Cameroon adopts Nagoya Protocol to benefit from its rich biodiversity

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