Access and benefits sharing

Aichi Biodiversity Target Sixteen – Access and Benefits Sharing focuses on the Nagoya Protocol and equitable sharing of the benefits of biodiversity. It states: By 2015, the “Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization” (the Nagoya Protocol) – http://www.cbd.int/abs/ - is in force and operational, consistent with national legislation.

The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits, arising out of the utilization of genetic resources of biodiversity, is one of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (http://www.cbd.int). The Conference of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the Nagoya Protocol at its tenth meeting in Nagoya, Japan. The Nagoya Protocol provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of fair and equitable benefits sharing of genetic resources. In order to achieve this target, countries will need to assess the opportunities and constraints involved in ratifying the Nagoya Protocol; understand the legislative, administrative and policy measures that will need to be in place to meet the obligations of the Nagoya Protocol, and implement these measures.

Target 16 indicators may include:

• The number of Parties to the CBD that have ratified the Nagoya Protocol.
• The degree to which countries have taken steps to implement the Nagoya Protocol, including efforts to: 
• Define mutually agreed terms
• Identify benefits sharing agreements
• Establish a prior informed consent process for sharing traditional knowledge
• Assess the current status of key species involved in any ABS agreements

Main Resources

• Aichi Biodiversity Target 16 Quick Guide
• Nagoya Protocol website
• Access and Benefit Sharing Information Kit
• Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources
• United Nations Treaty Handbook
• List of Nagoya Protocol signatories and ratifications