Sustainable Utilization of Animal Genetic Resources in Africa

20 - 22 April 2015. Cotonou, Benin. An Experts consultation meeting was convened by the African Union-Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), in the framework of the implementation of the AU-IBAR project on "Strengthening the capacity of African Countries on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Animal Genetic Resources in Africa".

This meeting, which aimed at taking stock and assessing challenges and constraints in the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in African countries since the ratification, reviewing continental developments and mechanisms relevant to the movements and exchange of animal genetic material, gathered participants from 6 Countries, namely Cameroon, Benin, Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia and Tunisia, as well as International and regional organizations namely FAO, ILRI, ECOWAS, AU-IBAR and AUC and also NGOs working with communities in the field of animal genetic resources.

The specific objectives included among key ones, to:

• Assess the legal environment for the exchange and movement of animal genetic material, as well as the adoption/implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in African countries since the ratification.
• Assess challenges and constraints in the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol in African countries since the adoption/ratification.
• Propose technical standards, legislation or regulatory requirements for the exchange and movement of genetic materials.
• Propose a guideline for the exchange and movement of genetic materials including benefits to local communities, custodians of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
• Propose a legislative framework for the establishment of regional genebanks.