Nagoya Protocol

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has recently submitted India’s First National Report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

This report highlights India’s progress in implementing international rules related to the use of genetic resources and fair sharing of benefits derived from them.

About the Nagoya Protocol

The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It establishes a legal framework to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Adoption and Entry into Force

• The protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan.

• It came into force on 12 October 2014, after the required number of ratifications.

• India ratified the protocol in 2012, showing early commitment to global biodiversity governance.

What the Nagoya Protocol Covers

The protocol applies to:

• Genetic resources covered under the CBD, such as plants, animals, and microorganisms

• Benefits arising from their utilization, including commercial products, research, and biotechnology

• Traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources held by indigenous and local communities

Key Objective of the Protocol

The main purpose of the Nagoya Protocol is to establish a transparent and predictable legal system for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).

This means:

• Countries providing genetic resources have control over their access

• Benefits from their use must be shared fairly and equitably

• It prevents biopiracy and unfair exploitation of biodiversity-rich regions

Relation with Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Nagoya Protocol operates under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which is a global environmental treaty adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit.

The CBD has three main objectives:

• Conservation of biological diversity (genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity)

• Sustainable use of biological resources

• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources

Key Significance of India’s Report

India’s first national report is important because it:

• Shows progress in implementing international biodiversity obligations

• Strengthens India’s position in global environmental governance

• Promotes transparency in access and use of India’s genetic resources

• Supports protection of traditional knowledge and indigenous communities

The Nagoya Protocol is a crucial global agreement that ensures fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources and traditional knowledge, while India’s first national report marks an important step in strengthening biodiversity governance and preventing biopiracy