Human Health and Biodiversity

1. Human Health and Biodiversity – Access and Benefit Sharing
RAHUL A CHAND
ABS CAPACITY BUILDING – SPREP
Apia, SPREP Campus
Wednesday , 24th January 2018

2. Source: http://www.seppo.net Guide to Biodiversity Loss

3. Source: http://www.seppo.net
What can we see happening in this cartoon ?

4. Human Health & Biodiversity
Health is often considered as a basic human right, and
is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as
not simply being free from illness, but in a state of
complete physical, mental and social well-being.
Biodiversity can be considered as the foundation for
human health as it underpins the functioning of the
ecosystems on which we depend for our:
 food and fresh water;
 aids in regulating climate,
 floods and disease;
 provides recreational benefits
 and offers aesthetic and spiritual enrichment.
Biodiversity also contributes to local livelihoods, to
both traditional and modern medicines and to
economic development

5.  All human health ultimately depends on ecosystem services that are
made possible by biodiversity and the products derived from them.
 While the inter-linkages between biodiversity, ecosystem services and
human health are inherently complex, inter-disciplinary research is
aiming to develop a more thorough understanding of these essential
relationships.

6. Biodiversity Loss, SDG’s & Health
 The current rate of biodiversity loss may have grave consequences
and hamper efforts to meet a range of Sustainable Development
Goals and Targets, including those related to poverty, hunger and
health, by increasing the vulnerability of the poor and reducing their
options for sustainable development.
 Vulnerable populations including the poor, marginalized, women
and children, will likely suffer first and most severely as they
often rely more directly on biodiversity and associated ecosystem
services for their very survival.

7. The third objective of CBD
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29
December 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
 The conservation of biological diversity
 The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
 The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilization of genetic resources
Aichi Global Targets
Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and
ecosystem services.
By 2015, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the
Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization is in
force and operational, consistent with national legislation.

8. BACKGROUND TO NAGOYA PROTOCOL
 The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and
Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the
Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement which
aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic
resources in a fair and equitable way.
 It entered into force on 12 October 2014.
 In the region, 4 Parties FSM, Fiji, Vanuatu and Marshall Islands have
ratified the Protocol till date while Palau has signed the Protocol
during the signature period.

9. Key Concept of Nagoya Protocol
PROVIDERS OF GENETIC
RESOURCES:
USERS OF GENETIC
RESOURCES:
NATIONAL FOCAL
POINTS (NFPS):
 States have sovereign
rights over their natural
resources
 Laws within the provider
country determine rights
over genetic resources at
the national level, who has
the authority to grant
access to genetic
resources and who should
be involved in the
negotiation of mutually
agreed terms with
potential users
 A diverse group,
including botanical
gardens, industry
researchers such as
pharmaceutical,
agriculture and cosmetic
industries, collectors
and research institutes
 They seek access for a
wide range of purposes,
from basic research to
the development of new
products
 Responsible for
providing information on
ABS, such as the
requirements for gaining
access to genetic
resources
Competent National
Authorities (CNAs):
 Established by
governments and
responsible for granting
access to their genetic
resources
 Represent providers on
a local or national level

10. The Pacific Case Study
Cook Islands CIMTECH
 Dr Matheson had witnessed the
traditional application of
medicines to wounds and bone
fractures.
 In 2003 after completing his
studies Dr Graham Matheson
found opportunity to research a
specific Cook Islands Traditional
Medicine, specifically the Vairakau
Ati (traditional treatment for bone
fractures)

11. WHAT HAPPENED
 There was no ABS law or process in
Cook Islands
 The Koutu Nui are a lawfully
recognized indigenous representative
body
 Koutu – representatives of sub-districts
and the chiefs who were responsible for
the cultural heritage of the Cook
Islands.
 The Koutu Nui was chosen by Dr
Matheson as the broadest group of
traditional leaders which include many
Taunga (healers/doctors). Their role in
the community include accepted
traditional practices, notably the Raui.
Bottles of cosmetic active ingredient solution
produced in the CIMTECH Lab at Avarua, Cook
Islands

12. RESULTS THROUGH ABS
 Agreement made Koutu Nui shareholders
in CIMTECH
 3 patent applications
 Cosmetic product ‘Te Tika’ launched
 R&D on drug for bone healing now
licensed to a veterinary company
 Benefits to include dividend payments to
KN

13. Why Pacific
 The Nagoya Protocol offers the opportunity to make the best
possible use of its genetic resources, generate and share benefits
derived from their utilization, and return some of the revenue
generated from these activities to the protection of the resources
and the development of the countries where they were sourced.

14. (GEF UNEP) SPREP Efforts in the Region
COMPONENT 1
 To prepare a baseline analysis to identify common assets
(particularly relating to traditional knowledge), issues and needs
between countries.
 The component will also develop a roster of technical expertise
available locally within the region, and identify initiatives with the
potential to support implementation of the Protocol.

15. COMPONENT 2 will assist countries to ratify the Protocol through
supporting national authorities. This will include:
 scoping studies to identify any gaps in existing laws and regulations at national
level,
 analyses of implications of ratification, public awareness of the Protocol,
 workshops targeting parliamentarians and other decision-makers as well as
increasing understanding of the importance of genetic resources as a source of
innovation/driver for benefit-sharing in the national economies,
 support for drafting of national law/regulation/policy proposals as well as
other documentation required for ratification.

16. COMPONENT 3 - will establish an enabling environment for
the implementation of basic provisions of the Protocol. This
will include :
 stocktaking and assessment of capacities and systems currently in place,
 Development or review of strategy and action plans for the
implementation of ABS measures,
 building capacity among stakeholders with particular emphasis in the
Government agencies in charge of making the Protocol operational,
 laying supportive groundwork for countries to take advantage of bio
discovery and commercialisation opportunities under the Protocol,
 and developing supportive institutional frameworks for protecting
traditional knowledge, innovations and practices and customary uses of
biological and genetic resources.

17. Component 4 addresses regional coordination and technical
support. This will be supported by the development of a
regional communication and technical support mechanism to
support national decision-makers

18. KEY OUTCOMES FOR COUNTRIES
ABS Legal Needs
 Drafting instructions
 Advice on ABS Laws, regulations
 Ratification of Nagoya Protocol
 Administrative Arrangements in Country
ABS Capacity Building
 Informed decision making process ( awareness, education & training)
 Participation at ABS Clearing House
 Preparation of technical reports & technical cooperation
 Information Sharing / lessons learnt

19. To Contact Us
(GEF-UNEP) SPREP ABS Project
P . O Box 240 | Ph: (685) 21929
Email: rahulc@sprep.org | www.sprep.org
Vailima , Apia SAMOA
THANK YOU