{Representatives from 10 countries under the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) will convene in Kigali on 16-17th March 2015, for a two-day workshop aimed at building their capacity on the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization; in order to speed up its implementation in the COMIFAC Countries.}
In this workshop, participants will discuss opportunities offered by the Nagoya Protocol and the project to support the ratification and implementation of this protocol in COMIFAC countries. They will also develop the annual and bi-annual work plan for the above-mentioned project, establish a monitoring system and tools to use in raising public awareness on the Nagoya Protocol.
Organized by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in partnership with COMIFAC and Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), this workshop will bring together over 35 representatives (mainly made of Focal Points of the Nagoya Protocol and the Convention on Biodiversity) from Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, DR. Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principle and Rwanda.
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is an international agreement which aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way; including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and technologies, and by appropriate funding, contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.
Speaking on the significance of this protocol, Dr. Rose Mukankomeje, Director General of REMA noted that Nagoya Protocol is of paramount importance especially to developing countries including Rwanda, as they are in position to benefit meaningfully from their biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, which have been exploited over the years without real benefit.
Nagoya Protocol was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and was ratified by Rwanda in March 2012. Its entry into force took place in October 2014.
In order to facilitate the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Rwanda, a Ministerial Order meant to domesticate the Protocol has been drafted by REMA along with other key stakeholders; and is now in the consultation phase.
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