Monday, July 29, 2013

FSM workshop on Nagoya Protocol Access and Benefit Sharing



FSMIS (July 29, 2013): The Federated States of Micronesia Department of Resources and Development (FSMR&D) along with its Development Partners on the Nagoya Protocol Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)  will be conducting a multi-stakeholder workshop to increase ABS awareness in the FSM and advance policy and implementation measures in relation to FSM’s Nagoya Protocol ABS obligations.

According to information from FSMR&D, the workshop and “consultation with relevant stakeholders” will contribute to the formulation of ABS policy framework for the FSM. To this end, departments, offices and agencies have been invited to participate and contribute at the August 5 to 7 workshop.

The website on Convention on Biological Diversity, www.cbd.int, shows that the Nagoya Protocol ABS, adopted on November 29, 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity. As its main objective, the protocol provides a legal framework for the “fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources”.  

 In accordance with its Article 32, the Protocol was opened for signature by Parties to the Convention from 2 February 2011 to 1 February 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.  FSM signed on 11 January 2012 and ratified on 30 January 2013.  The Protocol will enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession (Article 33).

Further information on the draft agenda overview for the upcoming ABS workshop in the FSM includes topics for introduction to ABS and legal concepts, intellectual property rights and genetic resources, protection of traditional knowledge, and a range of other ABS related discussions as well as other related experiences from Asia and ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) countries.

For further information on the workshop, email Assistant Secretary Alissa Takesy via alissa.takesy@fsmrd.fm or call her at 320-2646.

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