Public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol

Public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol

WHO
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Overview

The Nagoya Protocol is a multilateral treaty addressing access and benefit-sharing. For the countries that have become party, it governs the international sharing of genetic resources. Implementation of this treaty has implications for public health including, in particular, aspects of a timely response to infectious disease outbreaks.

WHO – in close collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity, Member States and other international organizations and stakeholders – is working to ensure that public health work advances in harmony with the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. This page contains information on WHO’s ongoing efforts in regard to the implementation of decision WHA72(13) on the public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

Decision WHA72(13)

Following discussions at the 144th Executive Board, the Seventy-second World Health Assembly adopted decision WHA72(13) on "The public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol" (item 12.10 in the agenda).

Survey

In collaboration with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity in the implementation of decision WHA72(13), the WHO Secretariat developed a survey to collect information requested from stakeholders concerned by the public health implications of the Nagoya Protocol. Results will be made available to the WHA submitted through the 148th session of the Executive Board in January 2021.

Collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity

The secretariats of WHO and CBD continue to work together on issues of access and benefit sharing for pathogens. This involves ensuring that relevant information is shared between the organizations, promoting the engagement of Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, WHO and other organizations in processes of mutual interest; working jointly on the development of documents and other relevant materials; and organizing a number of other collaborative activities.