Africa Science News

Botswana becomes latest African nation to ratify Nagoya Protocol

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Written by Raymond Gichuki

Botswana has become the 14th country to ratify 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. It shortly followed Albania who became the 13^th nation to do so.

Together with Federated States of Micronesia, the three now join Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, India, Jordan, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mauritius, Mexico, Panama, Rwanda, the Seychelles and South Africa as countries that have ratified or acceded to the ground-breaking treaty.

Albania is the first country in the Central and Eastern European region to accede to the Protocol. The Federated States of Micronesia is the latest Small Island Developing state to ratify, joining Fiji and the Seychelles.  Botswana becomes the 6th African country to ratify.

The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force on the 90th day after the date of deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification, acceptance, approval or accession.

Ninety-two Parties had signed the Protocol at the closure of signature on 1 February 2012, highlighting the commitment of countries to the early entry into force and implementation of the Protocol.

“The actions by Albania, Botswana and the Federated States of Micronesia take us to four ratifications so far in 2013. These are just the beginning of the momentum that will bring the Nagoya Protocol into force in advance of COP 12” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

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