From August 12 to 16, 2024, the HATOF Foundation, represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Dotse, is actively participating in the Second Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genetic Resources (WGDSI-2), which is being held at the ICAO Conference Centre in Montreal, Canada.
This pivotal meeting brings together international delegates and stakeholders to advance discussions on the multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from the use of DSI on genetic resources.
This mechanism, established under Decision 15/9 of COP 15 and part of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), includes a global fund designed to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits.
Key agenda items for WGDSI-2 include:
Development of the Multilateral Mechanism: Deliberations focus on the operational aspects of the mechanism and the associated global fund, as outlined in document CBD/WGDSI/2/2. This involves setting practical modalities for payments, disbursements, and management of the fund.
Technical Insights and Policy Options: Participants will review summaries from Mphatso Kalemba (Malawi) and William Lockhart (United Kingdom), alongside executive summaries of studies commissioned by the CBD Secretariat, providing crucial insights for shaping the multilateral mechanism.
What is at stake?
The multilateral mechanism, including the global fund, is expected to achieve several key objectives:
Provide a Multilateral Solution: The mechanism will offer policy guidance on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources, ensuring that the process is transparent and inclusive.
Bridge Gaps in Science and Technology: The mechanism is anticipated to generate non-monetary benefits, such as capacity-building, development, and technology transfer, which will help bridge scientific, technical, and technological gaps in how DSI on genetic resources is accessed and utilized globally.
Mobilize New Funding for Biodiversity Conservation: The establishment of the global fund is expected to mobilize new streams of additional funding that will be channelled towards biodiversity conservation, contributing to the sustainable use of genetic resources.
The HATOF Foundation’s involvement underscores our commitment to promoting equitable benefit-sharing and enhancing global capacity for biodiversity conservation.
We are engaging with various stakeholders to ensure that the interests of developing countries and local communities are well represented in these crucial discussions.
