India signs Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources

From Betwa Sharma
United Nations, May 12 (PTI) India, along with 10
other countries, has signed the Nagoya Protocol on Genetic
Resources, with an aim to promote sustainable use of
biological diversity.
The objective of the Protocol is to share the
benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources in
a fair and equitable way, which would promote sustainable use
of biological diversity but not exploit it or those who claim
a right over its components.
"I hope the protocol is signed by as many countries as
possible as quickly as possible because really this is an area
where a lot of work needs to be done...both South-South and
North-South in cooperation," T Chatterjee, India's Environment
Secretary, who signed the Protocol on Wednesday at the UN
headquarters, told reporters.
"Domestically, India has adopted several measures and
public policies that give priority to the sustainable use of
biodiversity and the services that it provides as essential
elements of human well-being," he said.
With India signing, the total number of signatories
now stands at 23, which include Germany, Japan and Brazil.
The Protocol, whose full name is Nagoya Protocol on
Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing
of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation, was adopted last
year in Japan at the 10th meeting of the Conference of Parties
(COP 10) to the Convention of Biodiversity.
India will host COP 11 in 2012.
"As a mega diverse country and the incoming President
of the 11th Conference of Parties, I am happy to share that
India has participated actively and contributed substantively
to the negotiation and adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on
Access and Benefit Sharing," Chatterjee said.
The Protocol needs 50 nations to sign up before it
can come into force.
Chatterjee said that Japanese companies in India were
already following the rules of the Protocol and compensative
the relevant villages for use of a specific resource.
"The market is already responding," he said.