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.

Trinidad and Tobago to Explore Benefits of Advancing the Nagoya Protocol

Please see this article to learn about the Nagoya Protocol and how Trinidad and Tobago plans on exploring its benefits. The Environmental Policy and Planning Division is the national focal point for the Convention on Biological Diversity which covers genetic resources that are applicable to the Nagoya Protocol.

Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries in the Caribbean Region: Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop

On April 28^th, 2016 at the Trinidad Hilton & Conference Centre, local stakeholders (UTT, UWI, Ministry of Legal Affairs, EMA, Ministry of Planning and Development and others) gathered together at the "Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in countries in the Caribbean Region" Project - Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop.

In order to support countries of the Caribbean to capitalise on opportunities to make the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS Protocol) operational in their national jurisdictions, the UNEP in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has developed a  Caribbean Regional Project entitled "Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in countries of the Caribbean Region".  

This 3 year Project is to be implemented in 8 CARICOM countries including Trinidad and Tobago with grant funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and is being executed by the IUCN Regional Office for Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean (ORMACC). 

Matters discussed at the Workshop included:

• ABS and the Nagoya Protocol;
• ABS in the Caribbean Region;
• The IUCN ABS Caribbean Project;
• The Project Work Plan for Trinidad and Tobago;
•  The role of National Agencies in Project Implementation 

>> For more information on the Project and the Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop visit the Nagoya Protocol Regional Project Page.

Dr. David Persaud addresses attendees at the Trinidad and Tobago National Workshop on April 28th, 2016.

Convention on Biodiversity CBD COP 11

CBD COP 11 adopted 33 key decisions on a range of strategic, substantive, administrative, financial and budgetary issues. Among other issues, the meeting addressed the status of the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing (ABS); implementation of the Strategic Plan 2011-2020 and progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets; and implementation of the Strategy for Resource Mobilization. 

The eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was held from October 8-19, 2012, in Hyderabad, India, following the sixth Meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP/MOP 6) on October 1-5, 2012. Approximately 6,000 delegates representing parties and other governments, UN agencies, intergovernmental, non-governmental, indigenous and local community organizations, academia and the private sector participated in the meeting. Please find below summary reports on the Biosafety and CBD meetings:

• CBD COP 11 Summary Report
• CBD COP/MOP 6 Summary Report

Trinidad and Tobago was represented at both meetings by the MEAU's Biodiversity Specialist, Dr Floyd Homer who also participated in one of the Convention's side events under the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA), which showcased "island bright spots". The event highlighted island innovations in the context of the CBD’s Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity and was co-sponsored by the Government of the Seychelles and the Government of India. Dr Homer served as Chairman of the morning session and provided technical inputs to several of the break-out groups.

Dr Floyd Homer, Biodiversity Specialist chairing the event hosted by the Global Island Partnership at CBD COP 11

Following the impressive overall package adopted at COP 10 in Japan, COP 11 marked the move from policy-making to implementation. The meeting adopted a set of decisions on items ranging from ecosystem restoration and marine and coastal biodiversity, to the Nagoya Protocol and customary sustainable use to set the groundwork for intense inter-sessional work with a focus on implementation at the national and local level. 

As a fun green way to commemorate the biodiversity conference, each participating country planted a tree in its name in the newly established Biodiversity Park in Hyderabad.

Tree planted for Trinidad and Tobago at the Biodiversity Park in Hyderabad, India!