RATIFIED INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

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Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization

Art. 1

The legal framework provides for the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources (GR), including by appropriate access to GR and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding.

Art.2

The legal framework provides definitions consistent with those of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol.

Art.3

The legal framework defines the scope as comprising:
- GRs falling within the scope of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the benefits arising from the use of these resources;
- the traditional knowledge associated with these GR and the benefits arising from the use of this knowledge

Art.4-1

The legal framework does not modify the rights and obligations arising from part of an existing international agreement, except in the event that their exercise would cause serious damage to, or pose a serious threat to, biological diversity.

Art.4-2

The legal framework does not prevent the development and application of other relevant instruments, provided that they do not contradict the objectives of the convention.

Art.4-3

The legal framework encourages complementarity with other relevant instruments as well as the taking into account of useful and relevant work or practices underway within the framework of these instruments or international organizations.

Art.5-1

Legislative, administrative or policy measures are planned to ensure that the benefits arising from the use of GR as well as subsequent applications and commercialization are shared fairly and equitably with the Party providing the resources (country of origin of the resources or party who acquired them in accordance with the Convention), under mutually agreed terms (MAT).

Art.5-2

The legal framework provides for legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, with the aim of ensuring that benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources that are held by indigenous and local communities, in accordance with domestic legislation regarding the established rights of these indigenous and local communities over these genetic resources, are shared in a fair and equitable way with the communities concerned, based on MAT.

Art.5-4

The legal framework provides that the benefits referred to in Art.5-2 may include monetary and non-monetary benefits, including but not limited to those listed in the Annex.

Art. 5-5

The legal framework provides for legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, in order that the benefits arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with GR are shared in a fair and equitable way with indigenous and local communities holding such knowledge. Such sharing shall be upon MAT.

Art. 6-1

The legal framework provides for that access to GR for their utilization shall be subject to the prior informed consent (PIC) of the State providing such resources that is the country of origin of such resources or a Party that has acquired the genetic resources in accordance with the Convention, unless otherwise determined by that Party.

Art. 6-2

The legal framework provides that the PIC or approval and involvement of indigenous and local communities is obtained for access to genetic resources where they have the established right to grant access to such resources.

Art. 6-3(a)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to provide for legal certainty, clarity and transparency of their domestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory requirements;

Art. 6-3(b)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to provide for fair and non-arbitrary rules and procedures on accessing GR;

Art. 6-3(c)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to provide information on how to apply for PIC;

Art. 6-3(d)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to provide for a clear and transparent written decision by a competent national authority, in a cost-effective manner and within a reasonable period of time;

Art. 6-3(e)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to provide for the issuance at the time of access of a permit or its equivalent as evidence of the decision to grant PIC and of the establishment of MAT, and notify the Access and Benefitsharing Clearing-House accordingly;

Art. 6-3(f)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to, where applicable and subject to domestic legislation, set out criteria and/or processes for obtaining prior informed consent or approval and involvement of indigenous and local communities for access to GR;

Art. 6-3(g)

When PIC is required, legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate are taken to establish clear rules and procedures for requiring and establishing MAT. Such terms shall be set out in writing and may include, inter alia:
(i) A dispute settlement clause;
(ii) Terms on benefit-sharing, including in relation to intellectual property rights;
(iii) Terms on subsequent third-party use, if any; and
(iv) Terms on changes of intent, where applicable.

Art. 7

The legal framework provides that traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources that is held by indigenous and local communities is accessed with the prior and informed consent or approval and involvement of these indigenous and local communities, and that mutually agreed terms have been established.

Art. 8

Access and benefit-sharing legislations or regulations include:
a) promotion of research which contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, b) consideration of cases of present or imminent emergencies that threaten or damage human, animal or plant health, as determined nationally or internationally,
c) consideration of the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and their special role for food security.

Art.9-I

The legal framework encourages users and providers to direct benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources towards the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.

Art. 11

The legal framework provides for transboundary cooperation in cases where a) the same genetic resources are found in situ within the territory of more than one Party, b) the same traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is shared by one or more indigenous and local communities in several Parties, with the involvement of indigenous and local communities concerned.

Art. 12-1

The legal framework provides for measures which take into consideration indigenous and local communities’ customary laws, community protocols and procedures, as applicable, with respect to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

Art. 12-2

The legal framework provides for effective participation of the indigenous and local communities concerned, inestablishing mechanisms to inform potential users of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources about their obligations, including measures as made available through the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House for access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge

Art. 12-3

The legal framework provides for the development by indigenous and local communities, including women within these communities, of:
(a) Community protocols in relation to access to traditional knowledge
associated with genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of
benefits arising out of the utilization of such knowledge;
(b) Minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms to secure the fair and
equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources; and
(c) Model contractual clauses for benefit-sharing arising from the utilization of
traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

Art. 12-4

The legal framewok does not restrict the customary use and exchange of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge within and amongst indigenous and local communities in accordance with the objectives of the Convention.

Art.13-I

The legal framework provides for the designation of a national correspondent for access and benefit-sharing (contact details are provided to the Convention Secretariat).

Art.13-II

The legal framework provides for the designation of one or more national authorities responsible for access and benefit-sharing (this entity can combine the functions of national correspondent and competent national authority; its contact details are communicated to the Convention Secretariat. ).

Art.15-I

Effective and proportionate legislative, administrative or policy measures are planned to ensure that access to GR used under the jurisdiction of the country has been the subject of a PIC and that ACCs have been established.

Art.15-II

Appropriate, effective and proportionate measures are planned to deal with situations of non-compliance with the measures adopted in accordance with paragraph 1 above.

Art.15-III

The legal framework provides for cooperation with other States in the event of an alleged violation of internal laws or regulations relating to access and benefit-sharing mentioned in paragraph 1 above.

Art.16-I

Effective and proportionate legislative, administrative or policy measures are planned to ensure that access to traditional knowledge associated with GR used under the jurisdiction of the country has been subject to PIC or the agreement and participation of indigenous and local and that ACCs have been established.

Art. 16-II

Appropriate, effective and proportionate measures shall be provided to deal with situations of non-compliance with the measures adopted in accordance with paragraph 1.

Art.16-III

The legal framework provides for cooperation with other states in the event of an alleged violation of internal laws or regulations on access and benefit-sharing mentioned in paragraph 1 above.

Art.17

The legal framework provides for appropriate measures to monitor the use of genetic resources and increase transparency regarding their use.

Art.18

The legal framework provides for measures to encourage providers and users of GR and / or traditional knowledge associated with GR to include dispute settlement provisions in the MAT.

Art.19

The legal framework provides for measures to encourage the development, updating and use of standard sectoral and cross-sectoral contractual clauses for MAT.

Art.20

The legal framework provides for measures to encourage the development, updating and use of voluntary codes of conduct, guidelines and good practices and / or standards related to access and benefit-sharing.

Art.21

The legal framework provides for awareness raising of the importance of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and related access and benefit-sharing issues.

Art.23

The legal framework provides for collaboration with other states on research and development programs, including biotechnology research activities.