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Addressing the intersection between the Nagoya Protocol, access and benefit sharing rules, and BioTrade


27 - 28 June 2016
Hanoi
, Viet Nam

ditc-ted-28062016-vietnam-M.jpg​The objective of this workshop is to provide a broader understanding on the intersection between access and benefit sharing (ABS) and BioTrade for policy makers, regulators and interested businesses in Viet Nam. The workshop will also assist national authorities and other stakeholders in the identification of policy options for the implementation of certain aspects of the Nagoya Protocol in a BioTrade-friendly manner.

The Nagoya Protocol entered into force in October 2014 and has thus far gained over 70 ratifications. The Protocol is meant to implement the third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), namely the sharing of benefits derived from the utilisation of genetic resources. To do so, the Protocol has clarified definitions and introduced a set of principles and rules on access and benefits sharing (ABS). It has also included, for the first time, provisions on compliance, verification and cross border transfer of genetic resources. Ratifying countries of the Protocol started to review their national ABS regulations weighing their compliance with these new provisions. Some have found the need to update or re-draft new implementing laws or regulations at different levels.

UNCTAD BioTrade principles already require compliance with the CBD's three main objectives: biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. BioTrade is recognised as a key vehicle for the implementation of CBD the Nagoya Protocol objectives.

Viet Nam is currently one of the frontrunners in the development of BioTrade value chains worldwide. Today, sales of Vietnamese products derived from native medicinal and aromatic plants have reached about USD 100 Million. BioTrade companies in Viet Nam so far have mostly focused on harvesting, cultivation, processing and commercialisation of biodiversity-based products under sustainable environmental, social and economic criteria.
However, several companies in Viet Nam are already moving upward in the value chain and are starting to engage in situ reproduction of wild specimens and R&D on existing plants for further improvement. As companies move upward in the value chain and get into R&D, the probability of triggering provisions under the Protocol and national ABS regulations is higher. Therefore, there is a huge need to raise awareness on the interlinkages between ABS and BioTrade and to explain policy makers and regulators the importance of facilitating legal ABS compliance by BioTrade companies.

UNCTAD is working, together with the Government of Viet Nam and the BioTrade programmes in Viet Nam, to look at the current national ABS regulations and procedures, as well as BioTrade business practices. The objective is to create and implement proposals for clarification and simplification of certain aspects of the national implementation of the Protocol when relevant to BioTrade. UNCTAD is thus working to support Vietnamese policy makers and regulators in defining a BioTrade-friendly implementation strategy and to introduce administrative incentives for businesses so they fulfil new standards under the Nagoya Protocol.

This workshop is being organised by the Biodiversity Conservation Agency - Viet Nam Environment Administration (MONRE), the BioTrade Interest Group, Helvetas Vietnam and UNCTAD with the support of the Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO. This activity is part of the BioTrade Facilitation Programme III.

 

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Co-organizer(s):
The Biodiversity Conservation Agency – Viet Nam Environment Administration (MONRE) – the BioTrade Interest Group, Helvetas Vietnam – UNCTAD
Sponsor / funding:
Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO

languages
Language(s)
English  |    
Related Site:

BioTrade Interest Group, Helvetas Vietnam - ​https://vietnam.helvetas.org/en/

Viet Nam Environment Administration (MONRE) - www.monre.gov.vn/

Biodiversity Conservation Agency - http://vea.gov.vn/en

UNCTAD - www.unctad.org

Contact


• On logistical issues in Viet Nam:

Mr. Ta Minh Son, BIG Project Viet Nam: son@biotradeViet Nam.org

• On biographies and pictures:

  1. Mr. Pedro Lagonegro, Team Assistant, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD: pedro.lagonegro@unctad.org
• On presentations and additional substantial information:
  1. Ms. Mariona Cusi, Technical expert, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD: mariona.cusi@unctad.org
  2. Mr. David Vivas Eugui, Legal Officer, Trade, Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Branch, UNCTAD: david.vivaseugui@unctad.org
  3. Ms. Nguyen Dang Thu Cuc, Head of Division for Genetic Resources and Biosafety Management: cucngyuen.bca@gmail.com