ABS Management Tool

Sponsored by: SECO and UNU/IASOrganized by:IISD, Stratos Inc., Jorge Cabrera

ABS Management ToolInternational Stakeholder

Workshop27 and 28 November 2006

Costa RicaImplementation Approaches

and Options

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Objective

Assess the feasibility and conditions for the ABS – MT to be developed into a formal or broadly accepted tool for implementation and/or voluntary compliance with the CBD, the Bonn Guidelines and the emerging International Regime

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Why Implement the ABS-MT more Formally?

Distinguish between specific access and use practices which are compliant with the CBD and Bonn Guidelines and which are not

Provide a level of certainty to users that specific access/acquisitions of GR are legitimate: legal requirements met and accepted good practices

followed avoid claims of bio piracy

Safeguard the interests of providers in specific negotations through informed access and sharing of benefits

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Possible Approaches

for Implementati

on of the ABS-MT

Voluntary Compliance Standards

Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent

Mutually Agreed Terms

Mutually Agreed Terms

Benefit SharingBenefit Sharing

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Knowledge

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Community and Indigenous

Participation

Community and Indigenous

Participation

ABS Practice Guidance

• Internal Management Systems

• Good Practice Guidance

• Codes of Practice• Voluntary Standards• Verifiable Standards• Certification System• Support Mechanisms• Adoption by Other

Standards• Adoption in National

Law• Recognition by the

CBD

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Challenges for Implementation

Establishing clear need

Stakeholder awareness and buy-in

Confusion or duplication among standards

Clarity on link to legal requirements

Provider capacity

Tracking genetic resources up the supply/use chain

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Options

1. Establish an international ABS Office to promote use of the ABS-MT

2. Formalize an ABS voluntary standard:a) Good practice standardb) Verifiable standard

3. Adoption by other standards

4. Recognition by the CBD

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Option 1 Internation

al ABS

Office

Voluntary Compliance Standards

Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent

Mutually Agreed Terms

Mutually Agreed Terms

Benefit SharingBenefit Sharing

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Knowledge

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Community and Indigenous

Participation

Community and Indigenous

Participation

ABS Practice Guidance

Purpose Promote, track, provide guidance on ABS MT use

Functionsa) Information

source, track practices

b) Advice , support, training

Governance- M-S partnership,

in existing org’n

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Option 2 ABS

Standard

Voluntary Compliance Standards

Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent

Mutually Agreed Terms

Mutually Agreed Terms

Benefit SharingBenefit Sharing

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Knowledge

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Community and Indigenous

Participation

Community and Indigenous

Participation

ABS Practice Guidance

2A – Good Practice Standard

2B – Verifiable Standard

Purpose: Voluntary compliance to Bonn Guidelines

Functions:- commitment to

adhere to std. + move to best practice

- benchmark - self assessment or verification

Governance - existing or new standards or certification org’n

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Option 3 Adoption

of the ABS MT by other

Standards/ Guidelines

Voluntary Compliance Standards

Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent

Mutually Agreed Terms

Mutually Agreed Terms

Benefit SharingBenefit Sharing

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Knowledge

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Community and Indigenous

Participation

Community and Indigenous

Participation

ABS Practice Guidance

3A – Add ABS std. to existing biol. res. std.

3B – Add’l guidance on existing ABS guidelines

Purpose: strengthen ABS in other standards; or more detailed guidance in ABS guidelines

Governance: agreement to use by other organizations; or, existing int’l org’n to steward its use

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Option 4 Recognitio

nby

the CBD

Voluntary Compliance Standards

Prior Informed Consent

Prior Informed Consent

Mutually Agreed Terms

Mutually Agreed Terms

Benefit SharingBenefit Sharing

Traditional Knowledge

Traditional Knowledge

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Conservation & Sustainable Use

Community and Indigenous

Participation

Community and Indigenous

Participation

ABS Practice Guidance

Purpose: Provide instrument for compliance to CBD

Functions: Standard of practice to be followed

Governance: CBD Parties apply in own country; dissemination by CBD Secretariat or other international organization

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Attributes to Test Options Focus on key aspects of compliance + good practice Practical to use Credibile with stakeholders Clear niche – not overlap with existing standards Credible governance + implementation process Willingness of GR users+consumers to support cost------------------- Does it have/can it gain legitimacy and credibility

among a wide range of ABS interests?

Can the necessary incentives be put in place for users, in particular, to apply the ABS- MT in their activities when accessing and using GR?

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Questions

1) What is the purpose to be served by formalization/broad application of the ABS-MT?

2) Does the MT meet a need/fill a niche?

3) What is most suitable/feasible option?1) which one2) a combination3) other

4) Who needs to be involved?

5) What are initial steps toward implementation?