Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Argentina becomes sixty-seventh signatory of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing

Montreal, 16 November 2011 – Yesterday, 15 November 2011, Argentina became the sixty-seventh signatory of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  The Nagoya Protocol, which was opened for signature in February 2011, will enter into force 90 days after deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “The signing of the Nagoya Protocol by Argentina is further testimony to the growing global commitment and support for efforts to secure a more sustainable future for generations to come. I call on all countries who have not yet done so to sign the Protocol as soon as soon as possible.”

The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol will provide greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers and users of genetic resources, creating a framework that promotes the use of genetic  resources and associated traditional knowledge while strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits from their use. Hence, the Protocol will create new incentives to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has provided financial support for the early entry into force and effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund was established by GEF with an initial financial contribution of $12.5 million from Japan. In addition, a medium-sized project of $1 million is providing support to the ratification and early entry into force of the Protocol through a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. The project is being executed by the Convention Secretariat and is now fully operational.

The list of signatories of the Nagoya Protocol is available on the Convention’s website at: www.cbd.int/abs/nagoya-protocol/signatories/

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