The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed by 150 government leaders 30 years ago at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, and recognizes intrinsic value of biodiversity and the importance of conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources to fulfil the food, health and other necessities of the growing world population. The CBD is supported in the implementation of its third objective, the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources by the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) which came into force almost 8 years ago on 12 October 2014. We are still grappling with the question of whether the ABS system that has been implemented through national governments is effective in realising its objectives.

The panel consisting of experts from Brazil, India and South Africa will explore some of the challenges in developing countries relating access and the sharing of benefits, and consider how best to achieve tangible results through licensing and bioprospecting agreements.

Read about the Panellists here.

This event is free to participants.