Operationalising the national ABS framework and piloting innovative genetic resource products and value chains to enhance benefit-sharing for sustainable rural development and biodiversity conservation To consolidate and operationalize the national ABS legal and institutional framework, including through the development of pilot ABS products and value chains, to enable appropriate access to genetic resources in Morocco and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their utilization, for sustainable rural development and the sustainable use of globally significant biodiversity and ecosystems. Note: Disbursement data provided is cumulative and covers disbursement made by the project Agency. 61. The project will provide monetary and non-monetary benefits to providers and users of genetic resources, including cooperatives that provide raw material for ABS value chains, many of which are women-operated, and foreign private sector companies and national research groups interested in R&amp;D of cosmetic products. This will include: a) at least three (3) ABS contracts following the regulatory framework to be strengthened through the project and that would include negotiated favorable conditions with clear monetary and non-monetary benefits for providers and users of genetic resources in the three project sites; b) participation of local stakeholders, including women, in sustainable ABS-product raw material supply chains; c) enhanced governance and capacity at the regional and local levels for biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration and adoption of ABS principles for decision-making and planning; and d) sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of habitats and ecosystems associated with the prioritized species and genetic resources accessed with support from additional financial resources mobilized via the ABS benefit-sharing mechanism and contributing to their resilience.62. The project has a strong training component that will benefit the following: a) legal department staff within the MTEDD and other stakeholders on legal aspects regarding the ABS Law and its implementation; b) staff from key government agencies (e.g., MTEDD, MAPMDREF, NWFA, and MENFPESRS) to allow them to fully understand the ABS rules and procedures, including granting permits, evaluating access applications, the core principles of PIC and MAT and their application, and the rights and roles of local communities and vulnerable groups; c) representatives from national/regional NGOs and local stakeholders in relation to ABS and contributions to biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of its components; d) members of private companies, academic entities, and cooperatives interested in ABS, genetic resources, and value chains; e) providers of raw material to ensure sustainable collection and harvesting; f) representatives from the regional governments and ministerial delegations on biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and ABS; and g) institutional partners and stakeholders present in the project sites and participating in the prioritized ABS value chains on social and environmental safeguards risks and related UNDP and GEF standards and management requirements. The project will directly benefit 3,000 people (female: 1,500; male: 1,500).