Developments since the entry into force of the Protocol

The COP-MOP, at its fourth meeting, considered this item on the basis of a note by the Executive Secretary summarizing the progress made on measures to assist in awareness raising raising (Article 21) and capacity-building and development (Article 22), and adopted decision NP-4/7 on capacity-building and awareness raising.

In this decision, COP-MOP welcomed the communications strategy to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework as an important element to also raise awareness on access and benefit-sharing and the related goal and target of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The COP-MOP requested the Executive Secretary to continue facilitating the implementation of the awareness-raising strategy through capacity-building and development activities and by encouraging the use of the access and benefit-sharing awareness-raising toolkit in related capacity-building and development and awareness-raising projects carried out by Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations.

Furthermore, COP-MOP requested the Executive Secretary to consider incorporating elements of the awareness-raising strategy when revising the strategic framework for capacity-building and development to support the effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, for the consideration of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation at its fourth meeting and for adoption by the COP-MOP at its fifth meeting.

At its third meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP) considered the report on progress made in the implementation of the awareness-raising strategy and adopted decision NP-3/6. In this decision, COP-MOP requested the Executive Secretary to continue supporting the implementation of the awareness-raising strategy through its capacity-building activities and by encouraging the use of the CEPA Toolkit including considerations on ABS. Furthermore, in the decision, the Executive Secretary is requested to seek feedback from Parties, non-Parties and other relevant actors on the access and benefit-sharing awareness-raising toolkit.

At its second meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOP) adopted decision NP-2/9, which requested the Executive Secretary to continue implementing the priority activities contained in the Awareness-raising Strategy, ensure coherence with the awareness-raising and communication strategies of the Convention and its Protocols, and make efforts for the full and active participation of indigenous peoples and local communities. COP-MOP 2 also invited Parties, non-Parties and others to implement awareness-raising activities in accordance with the strategy, taking into consideration the framework for a communications strategy, and to make any resulting national strategies or awareness-raising tools and materials available on the ABS Clearing-House.

At its first meeting, the COP-MOP adopted the Awareness-raising Strategy for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing as contained in the annex to decision NP-1/9.

Developments prior to the entry into force of the Protocol

Prior to the entry into force of the Protocol, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol (ICNP) was established by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (decision X/1) to undertake the preparations for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.

At its second meeting, the ICNP considered a revised version of the draft awareness-raising strategy (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/2/11) and a synthesis of awareness-raising activities, including lessons learned from existing experience in this regard, based on submissions received prior to the meeting (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/2/INF/6). The ICNP further revised the strategy and recommended that the first meeting of the COP-MOP adopt the strategy as set out in the annex to recommendation 2/6.

In decision XI/1, the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties invited Parties and other relevant actors to carry out awareness-raising activities to support the ratification, early entry into force and implementation of the Protocol, taking into account the draft awareness-raising strategy. The decision also recognized the importance of awareness-raising in supporting ratification, early entry into force and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

ICNP-2 Recommendations

• Recommendation 2/6

At its first meeting, the ICNP considered a draft awareness-raising strategy prepared by the Executive Secretary (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/1/5) to assist Parties to effectively implement Article 21 of the Nagoya Protocol in a coherent manner, as well as to guide the efforts of the Secretariat, stakeholders and indigenous peoples and local communities to raise awareness of the Nagoya Protocol and related access and benefit-sharing issues. The ICNP also considered an overview of experiences and initiatives on awareness-raising on access and benefit-sharing and under different multilateral environmental agreements (UNEP/CBD/ICNP/1/INF/2) and adopted recommendation 1/3.

ICNP-1 Recommendations

• Recommendation 1/3

• Decision NP-4/7 on measures to assist in capacity-building (Article 22) and awareness raising (Article 21)
• Decision NP-3/6 on measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge (Article 21)
• Decision NP-2/9 on progress in the implementation of the awareness-raising strategy
• Decision NP-1/9 on measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge (Article 21), including the Awareness-raising Strategy for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
  

COP-MOP 4

• Progress report on measures to assist in capacity-building and awareness raising (Articles 22 & 21) - CBD/NP/MOP/4/5
• Feedback on the Access and Benefit-sharing CEPA Toolkit and updates on awareness-raising measures - CBD/NP/MOP/4/INF/3

COP-MOP 3

• Progress report on measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge (Article 21) - CBD/NP/MOP/3/6
• CEPA Toolkit including considerations for access and benefit-sharing - CBD/NP/MOP/3/INF/7

COP-MOP 2

• Report on Progress in the Implementation of the Awareness-Raising Strategy for the Nagoya Protocol - UNEP/CBD/NP/COP-MOP/2/9

Notifications

Intersessional Period 2019-2022

• 2021-05-17 - Invitation to Share Information on Capacity Development and Awareness-Raising related to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing and to provide feedback on the CEPA Toolkit - Including Considerations for Access and Benefit-sharing (2021-037)
• 2020-10-20 - Global Access and Benefit Sharing Conference 2020: Celebrating the 10th anniversary of the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol (2020-081)
  

Awareness-raising strategy

At its first meeting, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol adopted the Awareness-raising Strategy for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (annex to decision NP-1/9) which aims at providing a systematic and coherent approach to assist Parties in the implementation of Article 21.

Awareness-raising activities must respond to the specific needs and contexts of each Party. Therefore, the awareness-raising strategy is country-driven. The strategy identifies four priority activities and for each priority activity, sets out operational objectives, expected outcomes, indicators, the role of the Secretariat, activities and actors. The priority activities are the following:

1. Communications situation analysis and the development of needs-based awareness-raising strategies at the national, regional and subregional levels;
2. Creation of toolkit and awareness-raising materials;
3. Train communicators and engage target groups; and
4. Evaluation and feedback.

The Strategy also recognizes the importance of raising awareness among users of genetic resources for the effective implementation of the Protocol as well as the importance of facilitating the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in national and regional awareness-raising activities.

To assist Parties in the implementation of the strategy, the Secretariat is currently developing a toolkit containing methodologies, templates and descriptive materials to support the development of national awareness-raising strategies and associated materials and tools (priority activity 2).

Parties and others are encouraged to share national awareness-raising strategies, products and tools through the ABS Clearing-House, to facilitate the sharing of experiences and lessons learned in communicating ABS issues.

CEPA Toolkit including considerations for Access and Benefit-Sharing

The Secretariat developed this toolkit on communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) including considerations for access and benefit-sharing (ABS) which contains methodologies, tips, checklists, case models and other materials to help Parties and stakeholders develop innovative awareness-raising strategies to communicate about biodiversity-related issues, and in particular access and benefit-sharing. The toolkit contains general principles on strategic communication, as well as content structured around following communication objectives: how to inform and advocate; how to engage for change and action; and how to collaborate on biodiversity. The toolkit is meant to be a resource for ABS National Focal Points that are dealing with CEPA issues as part of their daily responsibilities. It provides guidance on where, when and how to use a wide range of education and communication interventions.

Users are invited to select from the following communication goals:

• Goal 1: Planning for strategic communication and raising awareness.
• Goal 2: Fostering political will and engaging decision-makers.
• Goal 3: Involving indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and relevant stakeholders.
• Goal 4: Communicating for successful partnerships.

The toolkit also points the user to useful resources for further reading. It offers an opportunity for readers to pick and choose the most relevant sections of the toolkit in light of their particular communication needs at a given time. The toolkit is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.