5 May 2015: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has called for the submission of views on two items addressed under the Nagoya Protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS): the need for and modalities of a global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, and compliance.

On the global multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, Parties, other governments, international organizations, indigenous and local communities and relevant stakeholders are invited to submit views on: situations that may support the need for such a benefit-sharing mechanism that are not covered under the bilateral approach; possible modalities for such a mechanism; and the areas identified as requiring further consideration, which cover a series of questions concerning the relationship between benefit-sharing, and prior informed consent (PIC) and national legislation or lack thereof; the scope of the benefit-sharing obligation; and transboundary situations and shared genetic resources and traditional knowledge. The deadline for submissions to the CBD Secretariat is 30 September 2015.

On compliance, views are invited on the need for and modalities of support, including possibly through a flexible mechanism, to provide advice or assistance to developing country Parties and indigenous and local communities to address compliance-related challenges. The deadline for submissions to the CBD Secretariat is 1 December 2015. [CBD Notification] [Nagoya Protocol Webpage]