T13: Benefit Sharing and Access

Financial Mechanism and Resources // T13: Benefit Sharing and Access

Friday // 8.4.2023

T13 (Benefit-Sharing and Access): How to Use GEF Funding

This page aims to provide information regarding the effective legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and appropriate access to genetic resources, for recipient Parties and relevant stakeholders, including how to access funding of the Global Environment Facility in this regard. It is a work in progress and will be updated as necessary.

Less than half of countries have put in place national access and benefit sharing measures, as well as established competent national authorities. The Nagoya Protocol can be considered operational. Reported actions included: Efforts to modify or develop relevant legislation; Undertaking workshops to build capacity and awareness related to the Nagoya Protocol to encourage participation in implementation; Developing access and benefit sharing measures; Enhancing implementation of the provisions on compliance; Monitoring the utilization of genetic resources, including the designation of checkpoints, as well as the provisions to support the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the implementation of the Protocol

Financial support of the Global Environment Facility

GEF-financed projects related to access to genetic resources and benefit sharing

Amazon, Congo, and Critical Forest Biomes

GEF-8 biodiversity focal area strategies
Objective 2. To effectively implement the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing
Project Support
"406. GEF will support national and regional implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and, if still required, targeted capacity building to facilitate ratification of the Protocol. As such, the GEF will support the following core activities to comply with the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol and promote its implementation:

Stocktaking and assessment. GEF will support gap analysis of ABS provisions in existing policies, laws and regulations, stakeholder identification, user rights and intellectual property rights, and assess institutional capacity including research organizations.
Development (or revision) and implementation of national ABS frameworks. This could include the policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks governing ABS, National Focal Point, Competent National Authority, checkpoints, institutional arrangements, administrative procedures for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT), monitoring of use of genetic resources and publishing information, including on applicable ABS procedures, to the ABS Clearing- ouse”, and compliance and enforcement with legislation and cooperation on transboundary issues. GEF will continue financing capacity development to ensure that countries develop clear ABS requirements and permitting systems, including biocultural community protocols for IPLCs, and ensure the relevant information (including biocultural community protocols) is made available on the ABS Clearing-House. GEF will also provide support to national coordination and data collection for reporting.
Development or revision of national laws and policies that promote scientific research and development and national investments on the use of genetic resources under national ABS frameworks. These include bioeconomy and scientific development policies that provide policy and economic incentives to foster scientific research and investments on genetic resources.
Capacity-building to add value to genetic resources for access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable use. In countries with national ABS policies, the GEF will support capacity-building and training for domestic users of genetic resources to add value to genetic resources. This will include not only training on scientific research & development procedures but also biodiversity-friendly practices for value chains needed for industries that use genetic resources. Countries may consider institutional capacity-building to carry out research and development to add value to their own genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources. The GEF will also support efforts of IPLCs concerning their traditional knowledge associated to genetic resources including the cultivation of source species and marketing of products.

"407. The GEF will also enhance national implementation of the Nagoya Protocol through regional collaboration. Regional collaboration will help build capacity of countries to add value to their own genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and avoid duplication of regulatory mechanisms while encouraging intra-regional collaboration. Regional collaboration can also address the financial and human resource constraints faced by small or least developed countries through sharing regulatory and scientific resources.
"408. As was employed in the GEF-7 strategy, in recognition of the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture and in achieving food security worldwide, the GEF will consider projects for the mutually supportive implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for countries that are Parties to both instruments."

Guidance to the financial mechanism

Projects that support the ratification and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing, including the establishment of legislative, administrative and policy measures on access and benefit-sharing and related institutional arrangements; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23, and 14/23, paragraph 11);
Building the capacity to develop, implement and enforce domestic legislative, administrative or policy measures on access and benefit-sharing, thereby contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of its components (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23), including through: Identification of relevant actors and existing legal and institutional expertise for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable of Benefits Arising from their Utilization; Taking stock of domestic measures relevant to access and benefit-sharing in light of the obligations of the Nagoya Protocol; Development and/or amendment of access and benefit-sharing legislative, administrative or policy measures with a view to implementing their obligations under the Nagoya Protocol; Establishment of ways to address transboundary issues; Establishment of institutional arrangements and administrative systems to provide access to genetic resources, ensure benefit-sharing, support compliance with prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms and monitor the utilization of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, including support for the establishment of check points;
Supporting the implementation of the strategic framework for capacity-building and development in support of the implementation of the Protocol. (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23)
Building the capacity to negotiate mutually agreed terms to promote equity and fairness in negotiations in the development and implementation of access and benefit-sharing agreements, including through enhanced understanding of business models and intellectual property rights; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23)
Building the capacity of Parties to develop their endogenous research capabilities to add value to their own genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources through, inter alia, technology transfer; bioprospecting and associated research and taxonomic studies; and the development and use of valuation methods; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23)
Addressing the capacity needs and priorities of indigenous peoples and local communities and relevant stakeholders; in particular projects that would: Encourage their participation in legal, policy and decision-making processes; Assist in building their capacity related to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, such as through the development of community protocols, model contractual clauses and minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms to secure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23)
Enabling Parties to actively participate in the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House and use the best available communication tools and Internet-based systems for access and benefit-sharing; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23, and 14/23, paragraph 7(b))
Raising-awareness of the importance of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and related access and benefit sharing issues, notably through the development and implementation of national and regional awareness-raising strategies; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23)
Making financial resources available to assist Parties in preparing their national report; (Decision XIII/21, annex II, paragraph 23, and XIII/21, paragraph 38, 14/23, paragraph 10)
Issues identified by the Parties to facilitate further implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing, including regional cooperation projects, with a view to facilitating the sharing of experiences and lessons learned and harnessing associated synergies;( Decision 14/23, paragraph 7(a))

Guidance to Parties

Ratification

Ratify and implement the Nagoya Protocol if not done so; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(a); XI/1A, para. 3; XII/13, para. 2; 3/15, para. 2)

Digital sequence

Support capacity-building and technology transfer, as appropriate, to assist in the access, use, generation and analysis of digital sequence information on genetic resources for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and benefit-sharing; (CBD14/20, para. 3)

Relationship with International Agreements and Instruments (Article 4)

Promote the mutually supportive implementation of the Nagoya Protocol and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture; (2/1, para. 3; 3/14, paras. 7 and 8; International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CBD/SBI/3/6/Add.3, 16 February 2021))

Access and Benefit Sharing (Articles 5-7)

Establish institutional structures and legislative, administrative and policy measures on access and benefit-sharing, including measures to ensure that the benefits arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources are shared in a fair and equitable way with indigenous peoples and local communities holding such knowledge; (14/31B, para. 8; XIII/1, para. 26; V/26A, para. 4(c))

Special Considerations (Article 8)

Take into account, in the implementation of Article 8 of the Protocol, relevant work undertaken by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Health Organization and other relevant organizations, as appropriate and in accordance with national circumstances; (3/1, para. 12(b))

Contribution to Conservation and Sustainable Use (Article 9)

Ensure that national biodiversity strategies as well as legislative, administrative or policy measures on access and benefit- sharing contribute to conservation and sustainable-use objectives; (V/26A, para. 3)

Transboundary Cooperation (Article 11)

Facilitate the sharing of information and experiences in relation to transboundary cooperation in accordance with Article 11 of the Protocol; (3/1, para. 7(e))

Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources (Article 12)

Support the development by indigenous peoples and local communities of community protocols and procedures, minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms and model contractual clauses for benefit-sharing arising from the utilization of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, promoting partnerships and technology transfer between users and providers of genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge, and recognizing that traditional knowledge, whether written or oral, may constitute prior art; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(e); VII/19E, para. 3; 3/1, para. 6(b), 7(g))
Provide for the full and effective involvement and participation of indigenous and local communities and all relevant stakeholders in the implementation of the provisions of the Protocol related to indigenous peoples and local communities, such as in the development and implementation of national capacity-building plans and strategies, mechanisms to ensure fair and equitable benefit‑sharing at the national level, and capacity for the negotiation of mutually agreed terms; (VII/19E, para. 5; VII/19F, para. 4; 3/1, para. 7(g) and 11(b))

National Focal Points and Competent National Authorities (Article 13)

Strengthen national focal points and competent national authorities and their coordination, responsible for access and benefit-sharing arrangements or to provide information on such arrangements within its jurisdiction; (VII/19, annex, para. 8(a); V/26A, para. 1; 3/1, para. 11(a))

The Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House and Information-Sharing (Article 14)

Actively participate in the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House to publish all mandatory information available at the national level, and make use of the interoperability mechanisms of the Access and Benefit sharing Clearing-House to facilitate information exchange with relevant databases, websites and information technology systems; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(f); 14/23, para. 7(b); 1/5, para. 1; 2/2, para. 5; 2/4, para. 7; 3/1, para. 6(c), 10; 3/3, paras. 3-4, 9-11;)

Compliance with Domestic Legislation or Regulatory Requirements on Access and Benefit-Sharing ((Article 15)

Develop, implement and enforce domestic legislative, administrative or policy measures on access and benefit-sharing and related institutional arrangements, with participation of relevant stakeholders from different sectors, to support compliance with prior informed consent in cases where there is utilization of genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge and with mutually agreed terms on which access was granted; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(b); VI/24A, annex, para. 61; VIII/4D, para. 2; VII/19E, para. 2; 14/23, para. 11; 2/1, para. 1; 3/2, para. 1; 3/1, para. 6(a), 11(c), 12(a); VII/19, annex, para. 8(b))

Compliance with Domestic Legislation or Regulatory Requirements on Access and Benefit-Sharing for Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources ((Article 16)

Establish national mechanisms to ensure compliance, when required by domestic law, with the obtaining of prior informed consent of indigenous and local communities regarding access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge; (VII/19E, para. 4)
Take note, in the implementation of Article 16 of the Protocol, of relevant work undertaken by the World Intellectual Property Organization, as appropriate, provided that it does not run counter to the objectives of the Convention and the Protocol, and encourage the disclosure of the country of origin of genetic resources and the origin of relevant traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity in applications for intellectual property rights, where the subject matter of the application concerns or makes use of genetic resources or relevant knowledge in its development, as a possible contribution to tracking compliance with prior informed consent and the mutually agreed terms on which access to those resources was granted; (3/1, para. 12(c); VI/24C, para. 1 and 12)

Model Contractual Clauses (Article 19)

Develop model agreements and codes of conduct for specific uses, users and sectors, where possible making use of work done in other forums; (VII/19, annex, para. 9(g))

Awareness-Raising (Article 21)

Raise awareness to the importance of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and related access and benefit sharing issues, notably through the development and implementation of national and regional awareness-raising strategies; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(g); 2/9, para. 7; 3/1, para. 7(f); 3/6, para. 3-4)

Capacity (Article 22)

Develop and implement capacity-building and development activities to promote equity and fairness in negotiations in the development and implementation of access and benefit-sharing agreements and support the implementation of the Protocol, including integrating within the framework of national biodiversity strategies and other related initiatives and strategies, and developing regional and subregional cooperation to address capacity gaps; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/1D, para. 3; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; VII/19, annex, para. 8(c); V/26C, para. 4; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, para. 3, 5, 6, 9 and annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(c) and (i); 2/5, para. 5; 2/8, para. 2 and 5-7; 3/1, para. 7(b)-(d); 3/5A, para. 2-3;)
Develop instruments and tools, including indicators to monitor and assess the implementation of capacity-building for access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing at all stages, and the effectiveness of policy and legislative measures; (VII/19, annex, para. 8(f))

Technology Transfer, Collaboration and Cooperation (Article 23)

Develop endogenous research capabilities to add value to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources through, inter alia, technology transfer; bioprospecting and associated research and taxonomic studies; and the development and use of valuation methods; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(d); VII/19, annex, para. 8(e);)

Financial Mechanism and Resources (Article 25)

Direct domestic and external resources, in accordance with national circumstances, as well as resources generated through biodiversity financing mechanisms, and cooperate at the regional and subregional levels, towards the implementation of the objective of the Nagoya Protocol; (1/7, para. 2-7; 3/8, para. 3-5)

Monitoring and reporting (Article 29)

Submit interim national report as soon as possible if not done so; (X/24, annex, para. 4.11; X/25, para. 13; XI/5, paras. 21, 22 and 23, and appendix I; XII/30, paras. 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, and appendix II; X/1, para. 14; XI/1, D, para. 2 and E, para. 2; NP-1/6; NP-1/8, annex I, para. 29(a); and NP-1/9, annex, para. 34; XIII/21, annex II, para. 23(h); 3/4, para. 4)

Procedures and Mechanisms to Promote Compliance with this Protocol (Article 30)

Establish mechanisms to promote accountability by all stakeholders involved in access and benefit-sharing arrangements; (VI/24A, annex, para. 52))

Financial support of the Global Environment Facility

Amazon, Congo, and Critical Forest Biomes

Stocktaking and assessment. GEF will support gap analysis of ABS provisions in existing policies, laws and regulations, stakeholder identification, user rights and intellectual property rights, and assess institutional capacity including research organizations.
Development (or revision) and implementation of national ABS frameworks. This could include the policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks governing ABS, National Focal Point, Competent National Authority, checkpoints, institutional arrangements, administrative procedures for Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT), monitoring of use of genetic resources and publishing information, including on applicable ABS procedures, to the ABS Clearing- ouse”, and compliance and enforcement with legislation and cooperation on transboundary issues. GEF will continue financing capacity development to ensure that countries develop clear ABS requirements and permitting systems, including biocultural community protocols for IPLCs, and ensure the relevant information (including biocultural community protocols) is made available on the ABS Clearing-House. GEF will also provide support to national coordination and data collection for reporting.
Development or revision of national laws and policies that promote scientific research and development and national investments on the use of genetic resources under national ABS frameworks. These include bioeconomy and scientific development policies that provide policy and economic incentives to foster scientific research and investments on genetic resources.
Capacity-building to add value to genetic resources for access and benefit-sharing, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable use. In countries with national ABS policies, the GEF will support capacity-building and training for domestic users of genetic resources to add value to genetic resources. This will include not only training on scientific research & development procedures but also biodiversity-friendly practices for value chains needed for industries that use genetic resources. Countries may consider institutional capacity-building to carry out research and development to add value to their own genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources. The GEF will also support efforts of IPLCs concerning their traditional knowledge associated to genetic resources including the cultivation of source species and marketing of products.

2004 Assessment of Capacity-building Needs: Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity Important for Agriculture, Forestry and Research Czech Republic United Nations Environment Programme $200,000
2010 Supporting the Development and Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing Policies in Africa Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Senegal, South Africa, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $1,177,300
2011 Strengthening the Implementation of Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing Regimes in Latin America and the Caribbean Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $850,000
2011 Promoting the application of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing in Panama Panama United Nations Development Programme $1,000,000
2011 Building Capacity for Regionally Harmonized National Processes for Implementing CBD Provisions on Access to Genetic Resources and Sharing of Benefits Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Viet Nam, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $750,000
2011 Strengthening the Implementation of the Biological Diversity Act and Rules with Focus on its Access and Benefit Sharing Provisions India United Nations Environment Programme $3,561,000
2011 Capacity Building for the Early Entry into Force of the Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing Global United Nations Environment Programme $944,750
2012 Global Support for the Entry into Force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing Global United Nations Environment Programme $1,000,000
2012 Capacity Building for Access and Benefit Sharing and Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants Ethiopia United Nations Environment Programme $2,047,000
2013 Developing the Microbial Biotechnology Industry from Kenya's Soda Lakes in line with the Nagoya Protocol Kenya United Nations Environment Programme $913,265
2013 Discovering Nature-based Products and Build National Capacities for the Application of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Fiji United Nations Development Programme $970,000
2013 The Development and Production of Natural Dyes in the Choco Region of Colombia for the Food, Cosmetics and Personal Care Industries Under the Provisions of the Nagoya Protocol Colombia United Nations Development Programme $980,000
2013 Developing and Implementing a National Access and Benefit Sharing Framework Malaysia United Nations Development Programme $1,970,000
2013 Access to and Benefit Sharing and Protection of Traditional Knowledge to Promote Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Guatemala United Nations Environment Programme $874,500
2014 Promoting the Application of the Nagoya Protocol through the Development of Nature-based Products, Benefit-sharing and Biodiversity Conservation Costa Rica United Nations Development Programme $979,566
2014 Ratification and Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) for the Member Countries of the Central African Forests Commission COMIFAC Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Congo DR, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $1,762,557
2014 Implementing the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing Bhutan United Nations Development Programme $1,000,000
2015 Developing a National Framework on Access to and Benefit-Sharing of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge as a Strategy to Contribute to the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity in Morocco Morocco United Nations Development Programme $812,785
2015 Developing a National Strategy and Legal and Institutional Framework on Access to Genetic Resources and Related Benefit Sharing and Traditional Knowledge in Line with the CBD and Its Nagoya Protocol in Algeria Algeria United Nations Development Programme $1,940,000
2015 Advancing the Nagoya Protocol in Countries of the Caribbean Region Antigua And Barbuda, Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts And Nevis, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $1,826,000
2015 Capacity Building for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing Viet Nam United Nations Development Programme $2,000,000
2015 Strengthening the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing in the Cook Islands Cook Islands United Nations Development Programme $930,137
2016 Promoting the Application of the Nagoya Protocol on ABS Argentina United Nations Development Programme $908,904
2016 Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening on the National Framework for Access and Benefit Sharing under the Nagoya Protocol Brazil Inter-American Development Bank $4,401,931
2016 Strengthening of National Capacities for the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocolon Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity Mexico United Nations Development Programme $2,283,105
2016 Strengthening Human Resources, Legal Frameworks and Institutional Capacities to Implement the Nagoya Protocol Global United Nations Development Programme $12,000,000
2016 Ratification and Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in the Countries of the Pacific Region Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Regional United Nations Environment Programme $1,762,557
2016 Strengthening Capacities for Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in Nepal Nepal International Union for Conservation of Nature $1,376,147
2016 Gabon - Implementation of National Strategy and Action Plan on Access to Genetic Resources and The Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Accruing From Their Utilization Gabon United Nations Environment Programme $863,200
2016 Strengthening Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Bahamas United Nations Environment Programme $1,900,000
2016 Developing and Implementing the National Framework on Access to and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge China United Nations Development Programme $4,436,210
2017 Support to Preparation of the Interim National Report on the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol Albania, Antigua And Barbuda, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Comoros, Congo, Congo DR, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyz Republic, Lao PDR, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Niger, Pakistan, Philippines, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tajikistan, Togo, Uganda, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Zambia, Global United Nations Environment Programme $1,430,000
2017 Impact Investment in Support of the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (non-grant) Latin America and Caribbean, Regional Inter-American Development Bank $10,000,000
2017 Effective Implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing and Traditional Knowledge Regime in Peru in Accordance with the Nagoya Protocol Peru United Nations Environment Programme $2,190,000
GEF - 6 Promoting Conservation, Sustainable Utilization and Fair and Equitable Benefit-sharing from Lesotho's Medicinal and Ornamental Plants for Improved livelihoods Lesotho United Nations Development Programme $2,913,699
GEF - 7 Support to Nagoya protocol implementation, research and development, on Biodiversity value chain for small holders in the South West and Far North Regions of Cameroon Cameroon United Nations Environment Programme $2,000,000
GEF - 7 Support to the Development of Legal and Institutional Frameworks on Access to Genetic Resources and related Benefit Sharing and Traditional Knowledge in line with the CBD and its Nagoya Protocol in Venezuela Venezuela United Nations Environment Programme $1,776,484
2018 Establishing the National Framework and Operational Capacity for Implementing the Nagoya Protocol in Timor Leste Timor Leste United Nations Environment Programme $1,319,863
2018 Development of Value Chains for Products derived from Genetic Resources in Compliance with the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing and the National Biodiversity Economy Strategy South Africa United Nations Development Programme $6,210,046
2019 Effective National Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol and Valorization of Botanical Plants (Medicinal, Cosmetic and Neutraceutical) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Congo DR United Nations Environment Programme $2,000,000
2019 Developing a Comprehensive Framework for Practical Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol Cambodia United Nations Development Programme $843,242
2020 Institutional Capacity Strengthening for Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing in Uganda Uganda United Nations Environment Programme $2,560,842
2020 Realising the potential of native microbes in the agricultural and medical sectors, in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol Panama United Nations Development Programme $863,242
2021 Effective National Implementation of the Access and Benefit Sharing and Traditional Knowledge Regime in Niger in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol Niger United Nations Environment Programme $867,580
2021 Effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing from the Use of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in Madagascar Madagascar United Nations Environment Programme $1,685,160
2021 Capacity support for accession to and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization in South Sudan South Sudan United Nations Environment Programme $863,242
2021 Implementing the National Framework on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge in the Philippines Philippines United Nations Development Programme $4,384,000
2022 Operationalising the national ABS framework and piloting innovative genetic resource products and value chains to enhance benefit-sharing for sustainable rural development and biodiversity conservation Morocco United Nations Development Programme $1,776,620
2022 Developing the potential of Thalassia testudinum in the health sector in Cuba in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol and Biodiversity Conservation Cuba United Nations Development Programme $910,745
2022 Developing the national ABS legal, policy and institutional framework in Jamaica to effectively implement the Nagoya Protocol Jamaica United Nations Development Programme $826,697
2022 Effective Implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing of the Nagoya Protocol and Integration into Planned co-management Arrangements in the Nyambai Forest Park of The Gambia Gambia United Nations Environment Programme $3,074,886
2023 Strengthening access and benefit-sharing (ABS) policies and institutional frameworks through demonstrable models in Saint Lucia St. Lucia United Nations Environment Programme $1,593,836

Potential implementation/project partners

Related references

The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction

By 2023, the GEF has invested over $1.2 billion in the management of shared marine resources. Nearly all of these investments were made through regional and multi-country projects, where countries came together to improve the governance of shared large marine ecosystems (LMEs).
The GEF has invested more than $80 million, leveraging more than $500 million of cofinancing, in the management of ABNJ.
GEF-4: Global, Applying an Ecosystem-based Approach to Fisheries Management: Focus on Seamounts in the Southern Indian Ocean, (GEF ID 3138), Agency: UNDP, GEF Project Financing: $950,000; Co-financing: $5,974,000.
GEF-5: The Common Oceans ABNJ Program (2014-2019), with a $50 million GEF grant, included full-sized projects related to tuna fisheries, sustainable use of deep-sea living resources, and Ocean Partnerships.
Fiji, Discovering Nature-Based Products and Building Capacities for the Application of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing, (GEF ID 5170), Agency: UNDP, Project Financing $970,000; Cofinancing: $2,712,779.
GEF-7: Global. Common Oceans - Sustainable Utilization and Conservation of Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (GEF ID 10548). Agencies: FAO, UNDP, UNEP; Project Financing: $26,719,744; Co-financing: $264,446,227. The Program consists of five child projects – two global projects that promote sustainable management of tuna and deep-sea fisheries, a third project that seeks to build capacity to improve cross-sectoral collaboration and coordination on key ABNJ issues at global level, a fourth project that examines geographically focused multi-sectoral governance and a fifth project that seeks to ensure effective coordination, communication, partnerships, lesson learning and knowledge management between the other child projects and support innovative financing initiatives for sustainable use of ABNJ resources across the Program. This common ocean program aims to improve management of 12 million hectares of marine protected areas and move 943,000.00 tons of globally over-exploited fisheries to more sustainable levels. Furthermore, it will promote more comprehensive processes and integrated approaches to the sustainable use and management of the ABNJ, building on the results and lessons of the GEF-5 ABNJ Program and complementing the ongoing efforts of various partners, parallel initiatives and political processes.
GEF-8: the International Waters Focal Area has an allocation of $565 million, of which $34 million is notionally allocated to ABNJ under Objective 2 of the International Waters Focal Area Strategy. $82 million is notionally allocated for the support of the Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols in the Biodiversity Focal Area. In GEF-7, though the International Waters and the Biodiversity Focal Areas, the GEF approved close to $370 million of grants for 56 projects that will support the creation or improved management of 1.4 billion ha of marine protected areas globally.