A working group of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) advanced negotiations towards a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism from the use of digital sequence information (DSI) on genetic resources, including a global fund. Remaining challenges and political decisions needed to address them notwithstanding, many hoped that the convivial atmosphere during the group’s deliberations will continue at the UN Biodiversity Conference in October 2024. A deal on a fair and efficient multilateral mechanism could be a potential game changer for biodiversity governance.

To provide context for the talks, the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting explains that DSI on genetic resources, which is increasingly used in biotechnological research and development in the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors, among others, refers to their digitized information content. In its analysis, ENB notes that “[a]ccess to DSI… replaces the need to physically access biological samples of genetic resources,” and “[w]hile it can promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, it also risks expanding current inequities and compromising benefit-sharing obligations.”

The negotiations in the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of DSI on Genetic Resources aim to advance the CBD’s third objective – fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources – so as “to correct historical injustices relating to the ownership and control of genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and biotechnological innovation.” The mandate for the talks comes from the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

According to ENB, the outcome of the Working Group’s week-long deliberations is a heavily bracketed recommendation to the Conference of the Parties (COP). It includes lists of options for the basis and modalities of monetary contributions by DSI users to the global fund, the methodology and criteria for funding allocation, and data governance, including the mechanism’s relationship with public DSI databases. Other outstanding issues pertain to, inter alia, the mechanism’s relationship with national access and benefit-sharing (ABS) measures on DSI and its positioning regarding relevant international instruments, such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).

ENB reports that the Working Group’s technical work “resulted in a better understanding of the issues’ complexities and interlinkages with other processes,” with “[i]ntense intersessional work [having] allowed participants to get to know each other, understand positions, and feel ownership of the process.” Although technical complexities and remaining challenges require “significant political compromises between countries providing and using genetic resources,” delegates left the meeting optimistic.

“Consensus seems to be building towards requiring monetary benefit-sharing contributions from all companies in sectors relying on DSI use,” ENB writes. This option has the potential to generate funding towards “bridging the finance gap of USD 700 billion needed per year to reverse biodiversity loss,” it notes. The work to date has also ensured that all the options remain on the table.

The second meeting of the Working Group convened from 12-16 August 2024 in Montreal, Canada. [ENBCoverage of Second Meeting of CBD Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Benefit-sharing from the Use of DSI on Genetic Resources] [SDG Knowledge Hub Story on Working Group’s First Meeting]