Abstract:

In October 2010, the 193 Parties to the CBD at their 10th Meeting adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (The Nagoya Protocol). This Protocol was developed in order to provide an international framework that seeks to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge with countries and communities who have conserved and nurtured such resources and knowledge. In order for Bhutan to secure the economic benefits arising from the utilization of its genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge through the national implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, clear policy directives are critical. Therefore this Access and Benefit Sharing Policy is developed to guide access to Bhutan’s genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge and ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their research and commercial utilization.