At the 10^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP10), held in Nagoya, Japan, 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 was adopted on the conference’s final day, October 29.

Following the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, Nagoya Protocol is the 2^nd protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity. It will be open for signature for one year (2011.2.1-2012.2.1) and take effect 90 days after the 50^th party has ratified it.

According to the Protocol, a nation which is to use genetic resources should obtain prior informed consent from a nation which provides the genetic resources. Also, benefits arising from utilization of the genetic resources should be shared according to mutually agreed terms.

Minister of Environment Lee Maanee, who participated in the high-level talks, said discussion on genetic resources for the last 18 years since 1992 when the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted came to an end by the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol.

Minister Lee, speaking at CBD COP10

* You can find the attached full text of the Nagoya Protocol