Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
What is Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)?
ABS refers to the framework regulating access to biological resources or traditional knowledge associated with biological resources, and how the benefits that result from their utilisations are shared equitably and fairly between the users and the resource providers.
Why ABS is very important?
The third objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisations of genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS was adopted on 29th October 2010 at CBD COP10 in Nagoya, Japan. With the adoption, contracting parties must implement Nagoya Protocol ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from using biological resources or traditional knowledge (TK) for research or commercial use.
ABS is important as it establishes a legal framework that ensures the use of biological resources or traditional knowledge whether for research or commercial is conducted ethically, with full respect for the rights of natives and local communities and guarantees that the benefits derived from the use are shared fairly and in an equitably manner between the user and the resource providers. Nagoya Protocols requires governments from contracting parties to establish their own ABS frameworks which will ensure that access to biological resources and traditional knowledge is protected and regulated.