Genetic resources-Seychelles fourth country to ratify Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit sharing |06 August 2012

The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification. In addition to Seychelles, Rwanda, Gabon and Jordan have also ratified the Protocol.

What is the Nagoya Protocol?
The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement set up under the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) to promote the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.

Its aim is to strengthen the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use and prevent piracy of information and traditional knowledge from indigenous communities and locals. The Protocol itself will create incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

This Protocol was open for signature between February 1, 2011 and February 2, 2012. To date there are over 92 signatories to the Protocol. Seychelles signed the protocol on April 15, 2011 and from there a series of discussions and negotiations were taken nationally to research and understand its benefits.

Early 2012 the request for Seychelles to ratify this agreement was brought to the Seychelles National Assembly and was eventually endorsed. Our instrument of ratification was brought to the UN headquarters by our Ambassador for Climate Change and Small Island State issues Ronny Jumeau, one year after our signatory.

In addition to our ratification and as part of our obligations to this international agreement, Seychelles has taken measures to set its legal framework for this Protocol. A Bill has been worked on and will be presented for approval to the cabinet of ministers after which time it would enter into force.

Seychelles stands to gain from this protocol as it will help us to better manage our genetic resources both now and in the long-term and help ensure continuing efforts in the conservation of our biodiversity and heritage.

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