Welcome to the Netherlands CBD Focal Point for Access and Benefit Sharing related to Genetic Resources
The Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 1992, offers a framework for regulating the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The government of the Netherlands ratified the Convention in 1994.
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed at its fifth session in 2000 that members would assess systematically their policies and legislation regarding access to genetic sources and benefit sharing arrangements, and to provide an overview of collections of genetic resources maintained in their country. It was also agreed to establish international guidelines concerning access to genetic resources, international exchange and the promotion of equitable benefit sharing arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
This website is part of the Dutch contribution to the Convention on Biological Diversity. It aims to contribute to the implementation of these decisions, and to promote trust-building and transparency in order to facilitate the exchange of genetic resources. (For a complete overview of the implementation of the CBD in the Netherlands see also the Netherlands Clearing-House Mechanism for Biodiversity.)
This site is hosted by the Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands (CGN), and is supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
The site offers a database containing key elements on all activities regarding the conservation and use of genetic resources in the public, private and civil sectors in the Netherlands. It also offers some documents relevant to existing strategies, measures and initiatives in the Netherlands regarding access and benefit sharing arising out of the use of genetic resources.
If you have any questions, suggestions or contributions regarding this website and the database on genetic resources collections in the Netherlands, please contact the website contact person, Frank Menting, or the director of CGN and National Focal Point for Access and Benefit Sharing, Bert Visser. |