Illustrative image (Source: VNA)The implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources access and benefit-sharing in Vietnam was reviewed at a seminar held in Hanoi on September 28.
As a part of the multilateral treaty since March 17, 2014, Vietnam has set and followed a blueprint to achieve its sustainable goals by 2020. As such, the country is scheduled to issue sufficient legal frameworks for accessing genetic resources and fairly and equitably sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation (ABS) by 2017, establish an ABS model in 2018, and complete a national data system on genetic resources in 2020.
At the seminar, Erie Tamale from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity highlighted that under the agreement, involved nations can offer access to their genetic resources and obtain benefit-sharing contracts in return.
Local residents providing usable knowledge also benefit.
Dr Tran Thi Huong Giang from the Centre for Law and Policy of Sustainable Development said Vietnam issued the Law on Bio-Diversity in 2008 and a relevant guidance decree in 2010.
She proposed devising another decree guiding ABS moving forward.
In recent years, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has focused on information summation and international cooperation exchanges on the matter.-VNA
