Update on the "Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries of the Caribbean Region" Project

Since the first National Workshop on Advancing the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits arising from their Utilization (ABS), at the Hilton, Port of Spain in April, 2016, we have kicked the Regional UNEP-GEF project into high gear. 

Some of the highlights of 2017 include:

1.      Attendance at two (2) Regional Meetings to advance the Protocol:

 - Inception Workshop on Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries of the Caribbean Region and Regional Workshop on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABSCH) Clearing House, July 2016

                      -  Regional Workshop on the ABSCH, and Contract Template Development, November 2017

2.      Participation in a National Inventory of Genetic Material: Perspectives and Prospects

3.    Assessment of current national legislation to determine if a separate ABS legislation is needed, or if the ABS protocol can be enacted with current legislation.

4.    A national workshop on ABS legislation to generate recommendations on the way forward, September 2017

5.     A review of current administration systems for accessing genetic resources in Trinidad and Tobago

6.      Participation in a regional exercise to draft Cabinet Notes for accession to the Protocol

In 2018, the Project aims to:

1.     Complete the national genetic inventory report

2.     Host a national workshop with Indigenous Local Communities on awareness raising of the Protocol

3.  Engage in public awareness elements e.g. signage, newspaper articles, blog, roving caravan, television spots, regional ABS webpage

Image showing Attendees at the Workshop on “Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries of the Caribbean Region-Legal Perspectives”, September 11^th, 2017; EPPD, MPD.