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SECOND AD HOC OPEN-ENDED WORKING GROUP ON ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING Montreal, Canada; 1-5 December 2003
Highlights for Friday, 5 December 2003CLOSING PLENARY:  On
Friday, Working Group Chair Hoogeveen (right photo: left) opened the closing
Plenary. SWG-I Chair Verleye and SWG-II Chair Verma reported on progress and
outcomes of their sub-working groups. The report of SWG-I (UNEP/CBD/WG-ABS/2/L.1/Add.1)
was adopted with a minor amendment. Delegates also adopted the report of SWG-II
(UNEP/CBD/WG-ABS/2/L.1/Add.2) without amendment.
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 Switzerland (right photo: François Pythoud, Switzerland) noted that many sub-working groups' sessions were held without interpretation and requested the Bureau to provide timely information on the availability of interpretation for future meetings. Diann Black Layne, meeting rapporteur, presented the draft report of the meeting (UNEP/CBD/WG-ABS/2/L.1), which was adopted with an amendment proposed by Mexico, stating that the Working Group identified a clear need for an international ABS regime. |
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Uganda on behalf of the African Group, Mexico on behalf of the LMMC, the EU, Nepal on behalf of the Asian Group, Egypt, Lithuania, Jordan, Palau, Canada and Colombia expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the organizers of the meeting, highlighting the progress made and expressing hope that the fruitful negotiations on an international ABS regime will continue at COP-7. Malaysia invited delegates to COP-7. |
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Above photo: Jeffrey Beattie (Palau) | ||||
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Above photo: Ossama El-Tayeb (Egypt) |
The US (right photo: Leonard Hirsch, US) raised concern that many recommendations are not consistent with the CBD, such as, inter alia: references to countries of origin; references to derivatives and products; and the modalities of a certificate of origin. The IIFB reiterated the indigenous peoples' commitment to biodiversity conservation, and called for a code of ethics on ABS and recognition of indigenous communities' right to deny access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge for commercial use. A representative speaking on behalf of an NGO coalition noted the lack of a clear commitment to a legally binding international regime.
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Above photo: Lourdes Amos (IIFB) |
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Above photo: Beth Burrows (Edmond's Institute) |
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Hamdallah
Zedan, CBD
Executive Secretary (above right) expressed his appreciation for the work done
towards the implementation of CBD's third objective. Hans
Hoogeveen, Working Group Chair (above left) thanked participants and organizers, and closed the meeting at
1:45 pm.
| ENB ABS-WG2 Snapshots: | ||||
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| ABS-WG2 ENB Team: | ||||
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Above photo: Nienke and Stefan editing with Elsa Tsioumani
Above photo L-R: Sabrina Shaw, Charlotte and Pia Kohler
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Above photo: Stefan and Charlotte exhibiting the proper ENB editing concentration stance |
Above photo: Sabrina Shaw ... "Look no hands" |
Above photo: Angeles Estrada and Stefan |
ENB
coverage of the 
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