The Nagoya
Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of
Benefits Arising from their Utilisation (ABS Protocol) is an international agreement which aims
at fairly sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of
genetic/biological resources. The exploitation of genetic resources for food,
medicine and other natural products is now the basis of many international
companies. The ABS Protocol is one policy instrument which can arrest acts of
biopiracy in vulnerable countries, as well as providing a platform to
efficiently connect foreign researchers and private enterprise, with holders of
traditional local knowledge and genetic resources. To date seventy-one
countries are Party to the Protocol. However, in the Caribbean, only two
countries have signed onto the Protocol. Trinidad and Tobago is not Party to
the Protocol.
More information about the Nagoya Protocol is explained in this video. Ways in which the Nagoya Protocol can open doors for Caribbean people can be also be viewed here.
