NAGOYA PROTOCOLONACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
AND THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE
SHARING OF BENEFITS ARISINGFROM THEIR UTILIZATION
TO THECONVENTION ON
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITYTExT AND ANNEx

NAGOYA PROTOCOLONACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
AND THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE
SHARING OF BENEFITS ARISINGFROM THEIR UTILIZATION
TO THECONVENTION ON
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Text And Annex

Secretariat of the Convention
on Biological Diversity
Montreal

Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Introduction
The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature on 5 June 1992
at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio“Earth Summit”) and entered into force on 29 December 1993. The Convention is
the only international instrument comprehensively addressing biological diversity.
The Convention’s three objectives are the conservation of biological diversity, thesustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from the utilisation of genetic resources.
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
United Nations Environmental Programme
413 St. Jacques Street West, Suite 800
Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Y 1N9Phone: +1 (514) 288 2220
Fax: +1 (514) 288 6588
E-mail: secretariat@cbd.int
Website: www.cbd.int© 2011 by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
All rights reserved. Published 2011
Printed in Canada
ISBN: 92-9225-306-9This publication may be reproduced for educational or non-profit purposes without special
permission from the copyright holders, provided acknowledgement of the source is made.
The Secretariat of the Convention would appreciate receiving a copy of the publications that use thisdocument as a source.
Local catalogue record:
Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits
Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity : text and annex / Secretariatof the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Summary: “This booklet contains the text and annex of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic
Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to theConvention on Biological Diversity.”—Provided by publisher.
ISBN 92-9225-306-9
1. Biodiversity conservation — Law and legislation 2. Genetic resources conservation—Law andlegislation 3. Biodiversity – International cooperation 4. Biodiversity conservation
I. Convention on Biological Diversity (1992). Protocols, etc., 2010 Oct. 29. II. Conference of theParties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2010 : Nagoya, Japan). III. United Nations.
K3488 .A48 2011
For further information please contact the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

To further advance the implementation of the third objective, the World Summit on
Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, September 2002) called for the negotiationof an international regime, within the framework of the Convention, to promoteand safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilisationof genetic resources. The Convention’s Conference of the Parties responded at its
seventh meeting, in 2004, by mandating its Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Groupon Access and Benefit-sharing to elaborate and negotiate an international regime
on access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing in order to effectively implement
Articles 15 (Access to Genetic Resources) and 8(j) (Traditional Knowledge) of theConvention and its three objectives.
After six years of negotiation, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources
and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to
the Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted at the tenth meeting of theConference of the Parties on 29 October 2010, in Nagoya, Japan.
The Protocol significantly advances the Convention’s third objective by providing
a strong basis for greater legal certainty and transparency for both providers
and users of genetic resources. Specific obligations to support compliance withdomestic legislation or regulatory requirements of the Party providing genetic
resources and contractual obligations reflected in mutually agreed terms are asignificant innovation of the Protocol. These compliance provisions as well as
provisions establishing more predictable conditions for access to genetic resources
will contribute to ensuring the sharing of benefits when genetic resources leave a
Party providing genetic resources. In addition, the Protocol’s provisions on accessto traditional knowledge held by indigenous and local communities when it isassociated with genetic resources will strengthen the ability of these communities tobenefit from the use of their knowledge, innovations and practices.
By promoting the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge,
and by strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable sharing of benefits
from their use, the Protocol will create incentives to conserve biological diversity,
sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biologicaldiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

1

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

NAGOYA PROTOCOL ON ACCESS TO GENETICRESOURCES AND THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE SHARING OF
BENEFITS ARISING FROM THEIR UTILIZATION TO THE
CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
The Parties to this Protocol,
Being Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, hereinafter referred to as“the Convention”,
Recalling that the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization ofgenetic resources is one of three core objectives of the Convention, and recognizingthat this Protocol pursues the implementation of this objective within the Convention,
Reaffirming the sovereign rights of States over their natural resources and according
to the provisions of the Convention,
Recalling further Article 15 of the Convention,
Recognizing the important contribution to sustainable development made bytechnology transfer and cooperation to build research and innovation capacities
for adding value to genetic resources in developing countries, in accordance with
Articles 16 and 19 of the Convention,
Recognizing that public awareness of the economic value of ecosystems andbiodiversity and the fair and equitable sharing of this economic value with thecustodians of biodiversity are key incentives for the conservation of biologicaldiversity and the sustainable use of its components,
Acknowledging the potential role of access and benefit-sharing to contribute to theconservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, poverty eradication andenvironmental sustainability and thereby contributing to achieving the Millennium
Development Goals,
Acknowledging the linkage between access to genetic resources and the fair andequitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of such resources,
Recognizing the importance of providing legal certainty with respect to access togenetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from theirutilization,
Further recognizing the importance of promoting equity and fairness in negotiationof mutually agreed terms between providers and users of genetic resources,
Recognizing also the vital role that women play in access and benefit-sharing andaffirming the need for the full participation of women at all levels of policy-making
and implementation for biodiversity conservation,

2

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Determined to further support the effective implementation of the access andbenefit-sharing provisions of the Convention,
Recognizing that an innovative solution is required to address the fair and equitable
sharing of benefits derived from the utilization of genetic resources and traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources that occur in transboundary situations
or for which it is not possible to grant or obtain prior informed consent,
Recognizing the importance of genetic resources to food security, public health,biodiversity conservation, and the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change,
Recognizing the special nature of agricultural biodiversity, its distinctive features andproblems needing distinctive solutions,
Recognizing the interdependence of all countries with regard to genetic resources
for food and agriculture as well as their special nature and importance forachieving food security worldwide and for sustainable development of agriculturein the context of poverty alleviation and climate change and acknowledging thefundamental role of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Foodand Agriculture and the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food andAgriculture in this regard,
Mindful of the International Health Regulations (2005) of the World HealthOrganization and the importance of ensuring access to human pathogens for publichealth preparedness and response purposes,
Acknowledging ongoing work in other international forums relating to access andbenefit-sharing,
Recalling the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing established under theInternational Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture developedin harmony with the Convention,
Recognizing that international instruments related to access and benefit-sharing
should be mutually supportive with a view to achieving the objectives of theConvention,
Recalling the relevance of Article 8(j) of the Convention as it relates to traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of
benefits arising from the utilization of such knowledge,
Noting the interrelationship between genetic resources and traditional knowledge,
their inseparable nature for indigenous and local communities, the importanceof the traditional knowledge for the conservation of biological diversity and thesustainable use of its components, and for the sustainable livelihoods of thesecommunities,
Recognizing the diversity of circumstances in which traditional knowledge associatedwith genetic resources is held or owned by indigenous and local communities,
3

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Mindful that it is the right of indigenous and local communities to identify therightful holders of their traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources,
within their communities,
Further recognizing the unique circumstances where traditional knowledge
associated with genetic resources is held in countries, which may be oral,
documented or in other forms, reflecting a rich cultural heritage relevant forconservation and sustainable use of biological diversity,
Noting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, andAffirming that nothing in this Protocol shall be construed as diminishing or
extinguishing the existing rights of indigenous and local communities,
Have agreed as follows:

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing(e) “Derivative” means a naturally occurring biochemical compound resulting
from the genetic expression or metabolism of biological or genetic
resources, even if it does not contain functional units of heredity.

Article3

SCOPE
This Protocol shall apply to genetic resources within the scope of Article 15 of theConvention and to the benefits arising from the utilization of such resources. This
Protocol shall also apply to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources
within the scope of the Convention and to the benefits arising from the utilization ofsuch knowledge.

Article1
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arisingfrom the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic
resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into accountall rights over those resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding,thereby contributing to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable
use of its components.

Article2

USE OF TERMS
The terms defined in Article 2 of the Convention shall apply to this Protocol. In
addition, for the purposes of this Protocol:(a) “Conference of the Parties” means the Conference of the Parties to theConvention;(b) “Convention” means the Convention on Biological Diversity;(c) “Utilization of genetic resources” means to conduct research anddevelopment on the genetic and/or biochemical composition of genetic
resources, including through the application of biotechnology as defined in
Article 2 of the Convention;(d) “Biotechnology” as defined in Article 2 of the Convention means any
technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms, orderivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for specific use;4

Article

4

RELATIONSHIP WITH INTERNATIONAL
AGREEMENTS AND INSTRUMENTS
1. The provisions of this Protocol shall not affect the rights and obligations of any
Party deriving from any existing international agreement, except where the exerciseof those rights and obligations would cause a serious damage or threat to biologicaldiversity. This paragraph is not intended to create a hierarchy between this Protocol
and other international instruments.
2. Nothing in this Protocol shall prevent the Parties from developing andimplementing other relevant international agreements, including other specialized
access and benefit-sharing agreements, provided that they are supportive of and do
not run counter to the objectives of the Convention and this Protocol.
3. This Protocol shall be implemented in a mutually supportive manner with otherinternational instruments relevant to this Protocol. Due regard should be paid touseful and relevant ongoing work or practices under such international instruments
and relevant international organizations, provided that they are supportive of and do
not run counter to the objectives of the Convention and this Protocol.
4. This Protocol is the instrument for the implementation of the access andbenefit-sharing provisions of the Convention. Where a specialized international
access and benefit-sharing instrument applies that is consistent with, and does not
run counter to the objectives of the Convention and this Protocol, this Protocol
does not apply for the Party or Parties to the specialized instrument in respectof the specific genetic resource covered by and for the purpose of the specialized
instrument.
5

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article5

FAIR AND EQUITABLE BENEFIT-SHARING
1. In accordance with Article 15, paragraphs 3 and 7 of the Convention, benefits
arising from the utilization of genetic resources as well as subsequent applications
and commercialization shall be shared in a fair and equitable way with the Party
providing such resources that is the country of origin of such resources or a Party
that has acquired the genetic resources in accordance with the Convention. Suchsharing shall be upon mutually agreed terms.
2. Each Party shall take legislative, administrative or policy measures, as
appropriate, with the aim of ensuring that benefits arising from the utilization ofgenetic resources that are held by indigenous and local communities, in accordancewith domestic legislation regarding the established rights of these indigenous andlocal communities over these genetic resources, are shared in a fair and equitable
way with the communities concerned, based on mutually agreed terms.
3. To implement paragraph 1 above, each Party shall take legislative, administrativeor policy measures, as appropriate.
4. Benefits may include monetary and non-monetary benefits, including but notlimited to those listed in the Annex.
5. Each Party shall take legislative, administrative or policy measures, as
appropriate, in order that the benefits arising from the utilization of traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources are shared in a fair and equitable way
with indigenous and local communities holding such knowledge. Such sharing shallbe upon mutually agreed terms.

Article6
ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES
1. In the exercise of sovereign rights over natural resources, and subject todomestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory requirements, accessto genetic resources for their utilization shall be subject to the prior informed
consent of the Party providing such resources that is the country of origin of such
resources or a Party that has acquired the genetic resources in accordance with theConvention, unless otherwise determined by that Party.

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

genetic resources where they have the established right to grant access to such
resources.
3. Pursuant to paragraph 1 above, each Party requiring prior informed consent shalltake the necessary legislative, administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, to:(a) Provide for legal certainty, clarity and transparency of their domestic accessand benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory requirements;(b) Provide for fair and non-arbitrary rules and procedures on accessing
genetic resources;(c) Provide information on how to apply for prior informed consent;(d) Provide for a clear and transparent written decision by a competent national
authority, in a cost-effective manner and within a reasonable period of time;(e) Provide for the issuance at the time of access of a permit or its equivalent
as evidence of the decision to grant prior informed consent and of theestablishment of mutually agreed terms, and notify the Access and Benefitsharing Clearing-House accordingly;(f) Where applicable, and subject to domestic legislation, set out criteria
and/or processes for obtaining prior informed consent or approval andinvolvement of indigenous and local communities for access to genetic
resources; and(g) Establish clear rules and procedures for requiring and establishingmutually agreed terms. Such terms shall be set out in writing and may
include, inter alia:(i) A dispute settlement clause;(ii) Terms on benefit-sharing, including in relation to intellectual property
rights;(iii) Terms on subsequent third-party use, if any; and(iv) Terms on changes of intent, where applicable.

Article7

ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ASSOCIATED
WITH GENETIC RESOURCES

2. In accordance with domestic law, each Party shall take measures, as
appropriate, with the aim of ensuring that the prior informed consent or approvaland involvement of indigenous and local communities is obtained for access to

In accordance with domestic law, each Party shall take measures, as appropriate, withthe aim of ensuring that traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources thatis held by indigenous and local communities is accessed with the prior and informed
consent or approval and involvement of these indigenous and local communities,
and that mutually agreed terms have been established.

6

7

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

ArticleArticleSPECIAL CONSIDERATIONSTRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATIONIn the development and implementation of its access and benefit-sharing legislation
or regulatory requirements, each Party shall:

1. In instances where the same genetic resources are found in situ within the
territory of more than one Party, those Parties shall endeavour to cooperate, as
appropriate, with the involvement of indigenous and local communities concerned,
where applicable, with a view to implementing this Protocol.

8(a) Create conditions to promote and encourage research which contributes tothe conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, particularly indeveloping countries, including through simplified measures on access for
non-commercial research purposes, taking into account the need to addressa change of intent for such research;(b) Pay due regard to cases of present or imminent emergencies that threaten
or damage human, animal or plant health, as determined nationally orinternationally. Parties may take into consideration the need for expeditious
access to genetic resources and expeditious fair and equitable sharing of
benefits arising out of the use of such genetic resources, including access toaffordable treatments by those in need, especially in developing countries;(c) Consider the importance of genetic resources for food and agriculture andtheir special role for food security.

Article9

CONTRIBUTION TO CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE
The Parties shall encourage users and providers to direct benefits arising from theutilization of genetic resources towards the conservation of biological diversity andthe sustainable use of its components.

Article10
GLOBAL MULTILATERAL BENEFIT-SHARING MECHANISM
Parties shall consider the need for and modalities of a global multilateral benefitsharing mechanism to address the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived fromthe utilization of genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic
resources that occur in transboundary situations or for which it is not possible togrant or obtain prior informed consent. The benefits shared by users of genetic
resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources through thismechanism shall be used to support the conservation of biological diversity and thesustainable use of its components globally.
811

2. Where the same traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources isshared by one or more indigenous and local communities in several Parties, thoseParties shall endeavour to cooperate, as appropriate, with the involvement of theindigenous and local communities concerned, with a view to implementing theobjective of this Protocol.

Article12

TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ASSOCIATED WITHGENETIC RESOURCES
1. In implementing their obligations under this Protocol, Parties shall inaccordance with domestic law take into consideration indigenous and local
communities’ customary laws, community protocols and procedures, as applicable,with respect to traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.
2. Parties, with the effective participation of the indigenous and local communities
concerned, shall establish mechanisms to inform potential users of traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources about their obligations, including
measures as made available through the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House
for access to and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization ofsuch knowledge.
3. Parties shall endeavour to support, as appropriate, the development by
indigenous and local communities, including women within these communities, of:(a) Community protocols in relation to access to traditional knowledge
associated with genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of
benefits arising out of the utilization of such knowledge;(b) Minimum requirements for mutually agreed terms to secure the fair andequitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources; and(c) Model contractual clauses for benefit-sharing arising from the utilization of
traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.
9

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

4. Parties, in their implementation of this Protocol, shall, as far as possible,
not restrict the customary use and exchange of genetic resources and associatedtraditional knowledge within and amongst indigenous and local communities inaccordance with the objectives of the Convention.

ArticleNagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

forthwith notify the Secretariat of any changes in the designation of its national
focal point or in the contact information or responsibilities of its competent national
authority or authorities.
5. The Secretariat shall make information received pursuant to paragraph 4 above
available through the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House.

13
NATIONAL FOCAL POINTS AND COMPETENTNATIONAL AUTHORITIES

1. Each Party shall designate a national focal point on access and benefit-sharing.
The national focal point shall make information available as follows:(a) For applicants seeking access to genetic resources, information on
procedures for obtaining prior informed consent and establishing mutuallyagreed terms, including benefit-sharing;(b) For applicants seeking access to traditional knowledge associated withgenetic resources, where possible, information on procedures for obtaining
prior informed consent or approval and involvement, as appropriate, ofindigenous and local communities and establishing mutually agreed terms
including benefit-sharing; and(c) Information on competent national authorities, relevant indigenous andlocal communities and relevant stakeholders.
The national focal point shall be responsible for liaison with the Secretariat.
2. Each Party shall designate one or more competent national authorities onaccess and benefit-sharing. Competent national authorities shall, in accordance withapplicable national legislative, administrative or policy measures, be responsible for
granting access or, as applicable, issuing written evidence that access requirements
have been met and be responsible for advising on applicable procedures andrequirements for obtaining prior informed consent and entering into mutuallyagreed terms.
3. A Party may designate a single entity to fulfil the functions of both focal pointand competent national authority.

Article14

THE ACCESS AND BENEFIT-SHARING CLEARING-HOUSEAND INFORMATION-SHARING
1. An Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House is hereby established as part ofthe clearing-house mechanism under Article 18, paragraph 3, of the Convention.
It shall serve as a means for sharing of information related to access and benefitsharing. In particular, it shall provide access to information made available by eachParty relevant to the implementation of this Protocol.
2. Without prejudice to the protection of confidential information, each Party shallmake available to the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House any information
required by this Protocol, as well as information required pursuant to the decisions
taken by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol. The information shall include:(a) Legislative, administrative and policy measures on access andbenefit-sharing;(b) Information on the national focal point and competent national authority
or authorities; and(c) Permits or their equivalent issued at the time of access as evidence ofthe decision to grant prior informed consent and of the establishment ofmutually agreed terms.
3. Additional information, if available and as appropriate, may include:(a) Relevant competent authorities of indigenous and local communities, andinformation as so decided;(b) Model contractual clauses;

4. Each Party shall, no later than the date of entry into force of this Protocol for
it, notify the Secretariat of the contact information of its national focal point andits competent national authority or authorities. Where a Party designates morethan one competent national authority, it shall convey to the Secretariat, with its
notification thereof, relevant information on the respective responsibilities of thoseauthorities. Where applicable, such information shall, at a minimum, specify which
competent authority is responsible for the genetic resources sought. Each Party shall

4. The modalities of the operation of the Access and Benefit-sharing ClearingHouse, including reports on its activities, shall be considered and decided upon by
the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol at
its first meeting, and kept under review thereafter.

1011(c) Methods and tools developed to monitor genetic resources; and(d) Codes of conduct and best practices.

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article15

COMPLIANCE WITH DOMESTIC LEGISLATIONOR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ON ACCESSAND BENEFIT-SHARING
1. Each Party shall take appropriate, effective and proportionate legislative,administrative or policy measures to provide that genetic resources utilized
within its jurisdiction have been accessed in accordance with prior informed
consent and that mutually agreed terms have been established, as required by thedomestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory requirements of theother Party.
2. Parties shall take appropriate, effective and proportionate measures to address
situations of non-compliance with measures adopted in accordance with paragraph 1
above.
3. Parties shall, as far as possible and as appropriate, cooperate in cases ofalleged violation of domestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory
requirements referred to in paragraph 1 above.

Article16

COMPLIANCE WITH DOMESTIC LEGISLATION OR
REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ON ACCESS AND BENEFITSHARING FOR TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE
ASSOCIATED WITH GENETIC RESOURCES
1. Each Party shall take appropriate, effective and proportionate legislative,administrative or policy measures, as appropriate, to provide that traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources utilized within their jurisdiction
has been accessed in accordance with prior informed consent or approval andinvolvement of indigenous and local communities and that mutually agreed
terms have been established, as required by domestic access and benefit-sharing
legislation or regulatory requirements of the other Party where such indigenous andlocal communities are located.
2. Each Party shall take appropriate, effective and proportionate measures toaddress situations of non-compliance with measures adopted in accordance withparagraph 1 above.
3. Parties shall, as far as possible and as appropriate, cooperate in cases ofalleged violation of domestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory
requirements referred to in paragraph 1 above.
12

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article17

MONITORING THE UTILIZATION OF GENETIC RESOURCES
1. To support compliance, each Party shall take measures, as appropriate, tomonitor and to enhance transparency about the utilization of genetic resources. Suchmeasures shall include:(a) The designation of one or more checkpoints, as follows:(i) Designated checkpoints would collect or receive, as appropriate,
relevant information related to prior informed consent, to the sourceof the genetic resource, to the establishment of mutually agreed terms,
and/or to the utilization of genetic resources, as appropriate;(ii) Each Party shall, as appropriate and depending on the particularcharacteristics of a designated checkpoint, require users of genetic
resources to provide the information specified in the above paragraphat a designated checkpoint. Each Party shall take appropriate, effective
and proportionate measures to address situations of non-compliance;(iii) Such information, including from internationally recognizedcertificates of compliance where they are available, will, without
prejudice to the protection of confidential information, be provided
to relevant national authorities, to the Party providing prior informed
consent and to the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House, as
appropriate;(iv) Checkpoints must be effective and should have functions relevant toimplementation of this subparagraph (a). They should be relevant tothe utilization of genetic resources, or to the collection of relevant
information at, inter alia, any stage of research, development,
innovation, pre‑commercialization or commercialization.
(b) Encouraging users and providers of genetic resources to include provisions
in mutually agreed terms to share information on the implementation ofsuch terms, including through reporting requirements; and(c) Encouraging the use of cost-effective communication tools and systems.
2. A permit or its equivalent issued in accordance with Article 6, paragraph 3 (e)and made available to the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House, shallconstitute an internationally recognized certificate of compliance.
3. An internationally recognized certificate of compliance shall serve as evidence
that the genetic resource which it covers has been accessed in accordance with priorinformed consent and that mutually agreed terms have been established, as required13

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

by the domestic access and benefit-sharing legislation or regulatory requirements of
the Party providing prior informed consent.
4. The internationally recognized certificate of compliance shall contain thefollowing minimum information when it is not confidential:(a) Issuing authority;(b) Date of issuance;(c) The provider;(d) Unique identifier of the certificate;(e) The person or entity to whom prior informed consent was granted;(f) Subject-matter or genetic resources covered by the certificate;(g) Confirmation that mutually agreed terms were established;(h) Confirmation that prior informed consent was obtained; and(i) Commercial and/or non-commercial use.

Article18

COMPLIANCE WITH MUTUALLY AGREED TERMS
1. In the implementation of Article 6, paragraph 3 (g) (i) and Article 7, eachParty shall encourage providers and users of genetic resources and/or traditional
knowledge associated with genetic resources to include provisions in mutuallyagreed terms to cover, where appropriate, dispute resolution including:(a) The jurisdiction to which they will subject any dispute resolution processes;

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article19

MODEL CONTRACTUAL CLAUSES
1. Each Party shall encourage, as appropriate, the development, update and use of
sectoral and cross-sectoral model contractual clauses for mutually agreed terms.
2. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol shall periodically take stock of the use of sectoral and cross-sectoral model
contractual clauses.

Article20

CODES OF CONDUCT, GUIDELINES
AND BEST PRACTICES AND/OR STANDARDS
1. Each Party shall encourage, as appropriate, the development, update and useof voluntary codes of conduct, guidelines and best practices and/or standards inrelation to access and benefit-sharing.
2. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol shall periodically take stock of the use of voluntary codes of conduct,
guidelines and best practices and/or standards and consider the adoption of specificcodes of conduct, guidelines and best practices and/or standards.

Article21

AWARENESS-RAISING(b) The applicable law; and/or(c) Options for alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation or arbitration.
2. Each Party shall ensure that an opportunity to seek recourse is available under
their legal systems, consistent with applicable jurisdictional requirements, in cases ofdisputes arising from mutually agreed terms.
3. Each Party shall take effective measures, as appropriate, regarding:(a) Access to justice; and(b) The utilization of mechanisms regarding mutual recognition andenforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards.
4. The effectiveness of this article shall be reviewed by the Conference of the Parties
serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol in accordance with Article 31 of
this Protocol.
14

Each Party shall take measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic
resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and related
access and benefit-sharing issues. Such measures may include, inter alia:(a) Promotion of this Protocol, including its objective;(b) Organization of meetings of indigenous and local communities and relevant
stakeholders;(c) Establishment and maintenance of a help desk for indigenous and local
communities and relevant stakeholders;(d) Information dissemination through a national clearing-house;

15

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing(e) Promotion of voluntary codes of conduct, guidelines and best practices
and/or standards in consultation with indigenous and local communities
and relevant stakeholders;(f) Promotion of, as appropriate, domestic, regional and international
exchanges of experience;(g) Education and training of users and providers of genetic resources andtraditional knowledge associated with genetic resources about their accessand benefit-sharing obligations;(h) Involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant
stakeholders in the implementation of this Protocol; and(i) Awareness-raising of community protocols and procedures of indigenous
and local communities.

Article22
CAPACITY
1. The Parties shall cooperate in the capacity-building, capacity development
and strengthening of human resources and institutional capacities to effectively
implement this Protocol in developing country Parties, in particular the least
developed countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties
with economies in transition, including through existing global, regional,
subregional and national institutions and organizations. In this context, Parties
should facilitate the involvement of indigenous and local communities and relevant
stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations and the private sector.
2. The need of developing country Parties, in particular the least developed
countries and small island developing States among them, and Parties witheconomies in transition for financial resources in accordance with the relevant
provisions of the Convention shall be taken fully into account for capacity-building
and development to implement this Protocol.

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

4. In support of the implementation of this Protocol, capacity-building anddevelopment may address, inter alia, the following key areas:(a) Capacity to implement, and to comply with the obligations of, this Protocol;(b) Capacity to negotiate mutually agreed terms;(c) Capacity to develop, implement and enforce domestic legislative,administrative or policy measures on access and benefit-sharing; and(d) Capacity of countries to develop their endogenous research capabilities to
add value to their own genetic resources.
5. Measures in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 4 above may include, inter alia:(a) Legal and institutional development;(b) Promotion of equity and fairness in negotiations, such as training tonegotiate mutually agreed terms;(c) The monitoring and enforcement of compliance;(d) Employment of best available communication tools and Internet-based
systems for access and benefit-sharing activities;(e) Development and use of valuation methods;(f) Bioprospecting, associated research and taxonomic studies;(g) Technology transfer, and infrastructure and technical capacity to make suchtechnology transfer sustainable;(h) Enhancement of the contribution of access and benefit-sharing activities
to the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its
components;(i) Special measures to increase the capacity of relevant stakeholders in relationto access and benefit-sharing; and(j) Special measures to increase the capacity of indigenous and local
communities with emphasis on enhancing the capacity of women withinthose communities in relation to access to genetic resources and/or
traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources.

3. As a basis for appropriate measures in relation to the implementation of thisProtocol, developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries andsmall island developing States among them, and Parties with economies in transition
should identify their national capacity needs and priorities through national capacity
self-assessments. In doing so, such Parties should support the capacity needs
and priorities of indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders, as
identified by them, emphasizing the capacity needs and priorities of women.

6. Information on capacity-building and development initiatives at national,
regional and international levels, undertaken in accordance with paragraphs 1 to 5
above, should be provided to the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House with aview to promoting synergy and coordination on capacity-building and development
for access and benefit-sharing.

16

17

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article23

TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER, COLLABORATIONAND COOPERATION
In accordance with Articles 15, 16, 18 and 19 of the Convention, the Parties shallcollaborate and cooperate in technical and scientific research and development
programmes, including biotechnological research activities, as a means to achieve
the objective of this Protocol. The Parties undertake to promote and encourage
access to technology by, and transfer of technology to, developing country Parties,
in particular the least developed countries and small island developing States among
them, and Parties with economies in transition, in order to enable the development
and strengthening of a sound and viable technological and scientific base for theattainment of the objectives of the Convention and this Protocol. Where possible andappropriate such collaborative activities shall take place in and with a Party or theParties providing genetic resources that is the country or are the countries of origin
of such resources or a Party or Parties that have acquired the genetic resources inaccordance with the Convention.

Article24

NON-PARTIESThe Parties shall encourage non-Parties to adhere to this Protocol and to contribute
appropriate information to the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House.

Article25

FINANCIAL MECHANISM AND RESOURCES
1. In considering financial resources for the implementation of this Protocol, theParties shall take into account the provisions of Article 20 of the Convention.
2. The financial mechanism of the Convention shall be the financial mechanism forthis Protocol.
3. Regarding the capacity-building and development referred to in Article 22 of
this Protocol, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties
to this Protocol, in providing guidance with respect to the financial mechanism
referred to in paragraph 2 above, for consideration by the Conference of the Parties,
shall take into account the need of developing country Parties, in particular the least
developed countries and small island developing States among them, and of Parties
18

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

with economies in transition, for financial resources, as well as the capacity needs
and priorities of indigenous and local communities, including women within thesecommunities.
4. In the context of paragraph 1 above, the Parties shall also take into account theneeds of the developing country Parties, in particular the least developed countries
and small island developing States among them, and of the Parties with economies
in transition, in their efforts to identify and implement their capacity-building anddevelopment requirements for the purposes of the implementation of this Protocol.
5. The guidance to the financial mechanism of the Convention in relevant decisionsof the Conference of the Parties, including those agreed before the adoption of thisProtocol, shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the provisions of this Article.
6. The developed country Parties may also provide, and the developing country
Parties and the Parties with economies in transition avail themselves of, financial andother resources for the implementation of the provisions of this Protocol throughbilateral, regional and multilateral channels.

Article26

CONFERENCE OF THE PARTIES SERVING AS THE
MEETING OF THE PARTIES TO THIS PROTOCOL
1. The Conference of the Parties shall serve as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol.
2. Parties to the Convention that are not Parties to this Protocol may participate as
observers in the proceedings of any meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving
as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol. When the Conference of the Parties
serves as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol, decisions under this Protocol
shall be taken only by those that are Parties to it.
3. When the Conference of the Parties serves as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol, any member of the Bureau of the Conference of the Parties representinga Party to the Convention but, at that time, not a Party to this Protocol, shall be
substituted by a member to be elected by and from among the Parties to thisProtocol.
4. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to thisProtocol shall keep under regular review the implementation of this Protocol andshall make, within its mandate, the decisions necessary to promote its effective
implementation. It shall perform the functions assigned to it by this Protocol andshall:

19

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing(a) Make recommendations on any matters necessary for the implementationof this Protocol;(b) Establish such subsidiary bodies as are deemed necessary for the
implementation of this Protocol;(c) Seek and utilize, where appropriate, the services and cooperation of, andinformation provided by, competent international organizations andintergovernmental and non-governmental bodies;(d) Establish the form and the intervals for transmitting the information to besubmitted in accordance with Article 29 of this Protocol and consider suchinformation as well as reports submitted by any subsidiary body;(e) Consider and adopt, as required, amendments to this Protocol and its
Annex, as well as any additional annexes to this Protocol, that are deemednecessary for the implementation of this Protocol; and(f) Exercise such other functions as may be required for the implementation ofthis Protocol.
5. The rules of procedure of the Conference of the Parties and financial rules of theConvention shall be applied, mutatis mutandis, under this Protocol, except as may
be otherwise decided by consensus by the Conference of the Parties serving as themeeting of the Parties to this Protocol.
6. The first meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of theParties to this Protocol shall be convened by the Secretariat and held concurrently
with the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties that is scheduled after thedate of the entry into force of this Protocol. Subsequent ordinary meetings of theConference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol shallbe held concurrently with ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties, unlessotherwise decided by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of theParties to this Protocol.
7. Extraordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meetingof the Parties to this Protocol shall be held at such other times as may be deemednecessary by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties tothis Protocol, or at the written request of any Party, provided that, within six monthsof the request being communicated to the Parties by the Secretariat, it is supported
by at least one third of the Parties.
8. The United Nations, its specialized agencies and the International Atomic
Energy Agency, as well as any State member thereof or observers thereto not party
to the Convention, may be represented as observers at meetings of the Conferenceof the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol. Any body oragency, whether national or international, governmental or non-governmental, thatis qualified in matters covered by this Protocol and that has informed the Secretariat
20

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharingof its wish to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving asa meeting of the Parties to this Protocol as an observer, may be so admitted, unless
at least one third of the Parties present object. Except as otherwise provided in this
Article, the admission and participation of observers shall be subject to the rules ofprocedure, as referred to in paragraph 5 above.

Article27

SUBSIDIARY BODIES
1. Any subsidiary body established by or under the Convention may serve thisProtocol, including upon a decision of the Conference of the Parties serving as themeeting of the Parties to this Protocol. Any such decision shall specify the tasks to beundertaken.
2. Parties to the Convention that are not Parties to this Protocol may participate
as observers in the proceedings of any meeting of any such subsidiary bodies. Whena subsidiary body of the Convention serves as a subsidiary body to this Protocol,
decisions under this Protocol shall be taken only by Parties to this Protocol.
3. When a subsidiary body of the Convention exercises its functions with regard tomatters concerning this Protocol, any member of the bureau of that subsidiary body
representing a Party to the Convention but, at that time, not a Party to this Protocol, shallbe substituted by a member to be elected by and from among the Parties to this Protocol.

Article28

SECRETARIAT
1. The Secretariat established by Article 24 of the Convention shall serve as thesecretariat to this Protocol.
2. Article 24, paragraph 1, of the Convention on the functions of the Secretariat
shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to this Protocol.
3. To the extent that they are distinct, the costs of the secretariat services for thisProtocol shall be met by the Parties hereto. The Conference of the Parties serving
as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol shall, at its first meeting, decide on thenecessary budgetary arrangements to this end.

21

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article29

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article33

MONITORING AND REPORTING

ENTRY INTO FORCE

Each Party shall monitor the implementation of its obligations under this Protocol,and shall, at intervals and in the format to be determined by the Conference of
the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol, report to theConference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol on
measures that it has taken to implement this Protocol.

1. This Protocol shall enter into force on the ninetieth day after the date of depositof the fiftieth instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession by States
or regional economic integration organizations that are Parties to the Convention.

Article30

PROCEDURES AND MECHANISMS TO PROMOTECOMPLIANCE WITH THIS PROTOCOLThe Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol
shall, at its first meeting, consider and approve cooperative procedures andinstitutional mechanisms to promote compliance with the provisions of this Protocol
and to address cases of non-compliance. These procedures and mechanisms shall
include provisions to offer advice or assistance, where appropriate. They shall beseparate from, and without prejudice to, the dispute settlement procedures andmechanisms under Article 27 of the Convention.

Article31

ASSESSMENT AND REVIEWThe Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to this Protocol
shall undertake, four years after the entry into force of this Protocol and thereafter atintervals determined by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of theParties to this Protocol, an evaluation of the effectiveness of this Protocol.

Article32

SIGNATURE

2. This Protocol shall enter into force for a State or regional economic integration
organization that ratifies, accepts or approves this Protocol or accedes thereto after
the deposit of the fiftieth instrument as referred to in paragraph 1 above, on theninetieth day after the date on which that State or regional economic integration
organization deposits its instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval oraccession, or on the date on which the Convention enters into force for that State or
regional economic integration organization, whichever shall be the later.
3. For the purposes of paragraphs 1 and 2 above, any instrument deposited by aregional economic integration organization shall not be counted as additional tothose deposited by member States of such organization.

Article34

RESERVATIONS
No reservations may be made to this Protocol.

Article35

WITHDRAWAL
1. At any time after two years from the date on which this Protocol has enteredinto force for a Party, that Party may withdraw from this Protocol by giving written
notification to the Depositary.
2. Any such withdrawal shall take place upon expiry of one year after the date of its
receipt by the Depositary, or on such later date as may be specified in the notificationof the withdrawal.

This Protocol shall be open for signature by Parties to the Convention at the United
Nations Headquarters in New York, from 2 February 2011 to 1 February 2012.

22

23

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing

Article36
AUTHENTIC TEXTSThe original of this Protocol, of which the Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russianand Spanish texts are equally authentic, shall be deposited with the SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations.

Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing(c) Participation in product development;(d) Collaboration, cooperation and contribution in education and training;(e) Admittance to ex situ facilities of genetic resources and to databases;(f) Transfer to the provider of the genetic resources of knowledge andtechnology under fair and most favourable terms, including on concessional
and preferential terms where agreed, in particular, knowledge andtechnology that make use of genetic resources, including biotechnology, orthat are relevant to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biologicaldiversity;(g) Strengthening capacities for technology transfer;(h) Institutional capacity-building;

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, being duly authorized to that effect,
have signed this Protocol on the dates indicated.

(i) Human and material resources to strengthen the capacities for theadministration and enforcement of access regulations;

DONE at Nagoya on this twenty-ninth day of October, two thousand and ten.

(j) Training related to genetic resources with the full participation of countries
providing genetic resources, and where possible, in such countries;

Annex

MONETARY AND NON-MONETARY BENEFITS
1. Monetary benefits may include, but not be limited to:(a) Access fees/fee per sample collected or otherwise acquired;(b) Up-front payments;(c) Milestone payments;(d) Payment of royalties;(k) Access to scientific information relevant to conservation and sustainable
use of biological diversity, including biological inventories and taxonomic
studies;(l) Contributions to the local economy;(m) Research directed towards priority needs, such as health and food security,
taking into account domestic uses of genetic resources in the Party
providing genetic resources;(e) Licence fees in case of commercialization;(n) Institutional and professional relationships that can arise from an accessand benefit-sharing agreement and subsequent collaborative activities;(f) Special fees to be paid to trust funds supporting conservation andsustainable use of biodiversity;(o) Food and livelihood security benefits;(p) Social recognition;(g) Salaries and preferential terms where mutually agreed;(q) Joint ownership of relevant intellectual property rights.

(h) Research funding;(i) Joint ventures;(j) Joint ownership of relevant intellectual property rights.
2. Non-monetary benefits may include, but not be limited to:(a) Sharing of research and development results;(b) Collaboration, cooperation and contribution in scientific research anddevelopment programmes, particularly biotechnological research activities,
where possible in the Party providing genetic resources;
2425