Access to Biological Resources and Benefit Sharing
What is Access & Benefit Sharing (ABS)?
Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) refers to the framework governing how biological resources are accessed, and how the benefits arising from their utilization are fairly and equitably shared between the users and the providers of these resources.
Why ABS is important?
Access and benefit sharing of biological resources can ensure that the method of accessing and utilization of biological resources will maximize the benefits to the users, providers and the ecology and communities where the biological resources are found.
ABS is an important issue under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), where one of the three objectives of the convention on ABS which is in line with preservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of its components. CBD recognizes that biological resources is an absolute right of a country.
The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
Nagoya Protocol on ABS is a new international treaty adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan on 29th October 2010. The objective is to share the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and equitably, which will contribute to the preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and further meet the three objectives of the CBD.
Utilization of Genetic Resources through Traditional Knowledge Documentation Programme
- To facilitate the ethnic communities in Sarawak in preserving their traditional knowledge through proper documenting and recording techniques.
- To promote benefit sharing with ethnic communities where their traditional knowledge may lead to new discoveries and development of products.
- To promote sustainable use of biological resources in Sarawak.
- To demonstrate an ABS mechanism through creating a value chain leading to the development of products for the healthcare, personal care and cosmeceutical industries from traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources in Sarawak.
