Traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources
Submission to the CBD ABS Technical Expert Group on Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources Highlights
Publication date : 30/04/2009 | Document Number : 450/1046
Business has consistently demonstrated its desire to engage constructively as a stakeholder in the negotiations to an International Regime (IR) for Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). It therefore welcomes the opportunity to present its views on the treatment of traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources (GR) in the ABS IR.
The business community has been an
active participant in negotiations on access to and the sharing of
benefits from genetic resources, even before the entry into force of the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1993. The
business delegation, coordinated by the International Chamber of
Commerce (ICC), today represents various business sectors with diverse
interests in genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge
and their sustainable commercial uses. These include agricultural
biotechnology, animal breeding, cosmetics, farming, flavors and
fragrances, forestry, herbal medicines and supplements,
industrial biotechnology, pets, pharmaceutical and bio-pharmaceutical
products, and plant breeding (listed in alphabetical order).
Specifically with respect to TK relating
to GR, business shares a common interest with indigenous and local
communities in greater transparency, predictability, and a balance of
benefits against costs of proposed ABS regulations at both the national
and international level. Business underscores its continuing commitment
to commercialization of GR and associated TK only with the prior
informed consent (PIC) of relevant stakeholders and on mutually agreed
terms (MAT), consistent with the Bonn Guidelines.
On this basis, ICC offers the following views on the issues under consideration by the Technical
Expert Group on Traditional Knowledge Associated with Genetic Resources.
For further information, please contact
Daphne YONG-D'HERVÉ
Chief Intellectual Property Officer, IP Policy and Management, Intellectual Property
Tel:
+33 (0)1 49 53 28 24
daphne.yongdherve@iccwbo.org