Nagoya Protocol

Description

The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. It entered into force on 12 October 2014, 90 days after the date of deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. Learn more about the Nagoya Protocol.

The Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House (ABS Clearing-House) is a platform for exchanging information on access and benefit-sharing established by Article 14 of the Protocol, as part of the Clearing-House of the Convention established under Article 18, paragraph 3 of the Convention. The ABS Clearing-House is a key tool for facilitating the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, by enhancing legal certainty and transparency on procedures for access and benefit-sharing, and for monitoring the utilization of genetic resources along the value chain, including through the internationally recognized certificate of compliance. By hosting relevant information regarding ABS, the ABS Clearing-House will offer opportunities for connecting users and providers of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. 

Learn more about the ABS Clearing-House. 
Visit the ABS Clearing-House.

Policy Developments

• Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council on compliance measures for users from the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in the Union Text with EEA relevance, 16 April 2014
• Federal law on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use and amending the Organic Law of 27 December 1990 creating budget funds. 13 October 2023
• Royal Decree implementing the Law of 22 June 2023 on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use and amending the Organic Law of 27 December 1990 creating budget funds, 26 April 2024
• Decree of the Flemish Government on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their utilisation, 12 Avril 2019
• Decree From the Walloon Region on access to genetic resources and the just and equitable sharing of benefits resulting from their utilisation. 20 May 2020
• Order of the Brussels-Capital Region on measures concerning users' compliance with the rules on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their use. 2 December 2021

Contact

ABS National Focal Point 

General Directorate, Environment Federal Public Service (FPS) Health, Food Chain Security and Environment

Salima Kempenaer : salima.kempenaer@health.fgov.be

More Information

Belgian Page on the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing House (ABSCH)