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Sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing of the Convention on Biological Diversity (ABS 6)

21 - 25 January 2008 | Geneva, Switzerland

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ABS 6 Highlights: Monday, 21 January 2008

The sixth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) opened on Monday, 21 January 2008, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. The Working Group met in plenary throughout the day, and addressed elements of an international ABS regime relating to compliance, traditional knowledge and genetic resources, capacity building, and its scope and objectives.

Plenary Session

Timothy Hodges, ABS Working Group Co-Chair, Canada, highlighted that while there remain differences among parties, there are also a growing number of points of intersection from which to move forward. CBD Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf reminded delegates of the pivotal role of this meeting in the process of developing an international ABS regime by COP 10. ABS Working Group Co-Chair Fernando Casas, Colombia, said substantive deliberations should focus on the nature, scope and objectives of the international regime.
Fernando Coimbra, Brazil, on behalf of their Environment Minister and President of the eighth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 8) Marina Silva, stressed that negotiation of an ABS regime requires the collective effort of all countries. Carolyn Schwalger, New Zealand, urged delegates to address the practicability of compliance measures. Gordana Beltram, Slovenia, for the EU, emphasized international standards on national access law and practice.
Hideki Nishijima, Japan, emphasized the importance of identifying the objectives of a certificate of origin/source/legal provenance, verifying its effectiveness and implementing a cost-benefit analysis. Joji Cariño, Tebtebba Foundation, speaking for the Asian Indigenous Caucus, invited the Working Group to agree on an intersessional process consisting of national, regional and international workshops on the certificate. Robert McLean, Canada, stressed that contracts offer a good balance between flexibility and compliance with mutually agreed terms (MAT).
Daniel Klein, IUCN (right), recommended that the Working Group agree on and test a model certificate. Sophia Twarog, UNCTAD, presented a report on elements of an international regime for the recognition of national regulations on access.
Bir Singh Parsheera, India, highlighted the need for a legally binding certificate and disclosure requirements in patent applications. Left to right: Ahmed Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary; ABS Working Group Co-Chairs Fernando Casas, Colombia, and Timothy Hodges, Canada.
Edna Marajoara, International Forum for Local Communities. James Seyani, Malawi, pointed to the need for capacity building for users who infringe provider countries’ legislation and often claim lack of awareness.

Afternoon Plenary Session

Emmanuel Bayani Ngoyi, Gabon Aissaoui Abdelhakim, Tunisia, requested that capacity building include legal aspects, awareness-raising, technology transfer and a funding mechanism. Maribelle Alvarez Mora, Costa Rica, said the regime’s objectives should contribute to the implementation of the CBD’s objectives and address compliance.
Augusto Manuel Pinto, Timor-Leste. Mahboob Alam Ansari, Pakistan, stressed the need for capacity building for local people. Propan Tongsom, Thailand, stated that the regime should apply to all genetic resources and derivatives, so long as the term is clearly defined.

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Monday, 21 Jan - Tuesday, 22 Jan - Wednesday, 23 Jan - Thursday, 24 Jan - Friday, 25 Jan

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