27 September 2012: The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has reported that Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) became the sixth country to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the CBD.

The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the 50th instrument of ratification. Gabon, Jordan, Mexico, Rwanda and Seychelles also have ratified it. [CBD Notification]