Cameroon Adopts Nagoya Protocol to Benefit from its Rich Biodiversity

Cameroon Adopts Nagoya Protocol to Benefit from its Rich Biodiversity

Analysis:

1. Biodiversity Significance: Cameroon is a biodiversity hotspot with an estimated 11,000 species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, many containing valuable genetic information for medicine, agriculture, and other biotechnological applications.
2. Nagoya Protocol Adoption:
   • Cameroon has adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), an international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
   • The Protocol ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, protecting the rights of indigenous and local communities.
3. Challenges in Implementation:
   • Lack of implementing instruments, institutional capacity, and research and development on the biodiversity value chain.
   • Necessity for Cameroon to assess the real value of its biological resources to negotiate effectively with foreign companies.
4. Bioprospecting and Economic Potential:
   • Bioprospecting allows exploration of biological resources for drugs, food, and other products while promoting conservation and sustainable use.
   • Example: Prunus Africana, used to make prostate cancer drugs, shows significant disparity between purchase price and drug value, highlighting potential economic gains.
5. Projects and Agreements:
   • Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded a project to support research and development on selected species, such as bush mango (Irvingia wombulu), Monodora myristica, Balanites aegyptiaca, and Acacia nilotica.
   • Cameroon has signed five ABS agreements with French and Swiss cosmetic companies, covering research and commercial activities.
6. Local Impact:
   • Products like the bush mango serve as food, medicine, and income sources for local communities.
   • With proper implementation, ABS can enhance community benefits, such as schools, hospitals, and improved pricing for products exported internationally.
7. Strategic Importance:
   • Proper utilization of the Nagoya Protocol can help Cameroon and Africa unlock economic potential from their rich biological resources while ensuring conservation and sustainable use.

Updated - 05 Feb 2024 ; 10: 21 PM | Down to Earth