The ABS NCC implements its activity in accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus “On the Accession to the International Treaty” of May 22, 2014, No. 235; the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Genetic Resources Management” of March 5, 2024, No.356-3; and the Resolution of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus of October 14, 2024, No. 36 “The Provision for the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing” to ensure the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (hereinafter referred to as “the CBD”) adopted in 2010 in Nagoya, Japan, by the States Parties to the CBD. It came into force in 2014.
The Centre’s website: abs.igc.by
ABS NCC Powers (Article 12 of the Law “On Genetic Resources Management”)
The National Coordination Centre in the field of genetic resources management shall:
- Carry out, jointly with the Ministry of Nature, coordination of activities, including in part of monitoring in the field of genetic resources management;
- Ensure liaison between providers and users and checkpoints, as well as competent national authorities, on the issues of access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing and the checkpoints of foreign states Party to the Nagoya Protocol;
- Provide access (change access terms of) to genetic resources on a paid basis;
- Submit information in the field of genetic resources management to the Clearing-House for the Nagoya Protocol, including for issuing International Certificates;
- Maintain an electronic monitoring database in the field of genetic resources management;
- Provide to legal entities and individuals of the Republic of Belarus, including individual entrepreneurs, foreign states, their administrative and territorial (state and territorial) entities, which are, in accordance with legislation of these states, the participants of civil relations; foreign and international legal entities (organizations that are not legal entities), international organizations and interstate entities, foreign citizens, stateless persons involved in genetic resources management information on the procedure for access to genetic resources, as well as provided genetic resources and/or associated traditional knowledge;
- Carry out, jointly with the Ministry of Nature, international cooperation;
- Raise awareness in the field of genetic resources management, including by posting information on the website of the National Coordination Centre over the global computer network Internet;
- Provide services in the field of genetic resources management on a paid basis.
In accordance with Article 21 of the Law, based on the information obtained from providers, users and checkpoints, the ABS NCC shall maintain an electronic monitoring database in the field of genetic resources management. Monitoring data in the field of genetic resources management may be used for the assessment of compliance with legislation in the field of genetic resources management, the Nagoya Protocol, the terms of a genetic resources transfer agreement and a genetic resources utilization agreement.
PROVISION
for the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing
1. The National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (hereinafter referred to as “the National Coordination Centre”) is the structural subdivision of the State Scientific Institution “Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus” (hereinafter referred to as “the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus”).
2. In its activity, the National Coordination Centre shall be governed by the Law “On Genetic Resources Management”, other legislative acts and this Provision.
3. The main target of the National Coordination Centre is the coordination of activity in the field of genetic resources management.
4. The National Coordination Centre shall:
4.1. Exercise powers in the field of genetic resources management pursuant to Article 12 of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Genetic Resources Management”;
4.2. Exercise functions of the Checkpoint for monitoring genetic resources management;
4.3. Ensure scientific support for the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity of October 29, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as “the Nagoya Protocol”);
4.4. Ensure the technical support and functionality of the website of the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing. The Checkpoint for monitoring the utilization of the genetic resources of the Republic of Belarus to raise awareness of the stakeholders and the public of the legal regulation of genetic resources management in the Republic of Belarus;
4.5. Ensure the development and functionality of the digital platform for access to genetic resources and their use monitoring in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Genetic Resources Management”;
4.6. Take part in the implementation of the Economic and Social Development Plan of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, NAS of Belarus;
4.7. Take part in the Scientific and Practical Republican and International Conferences on the thematic directions of the development of modern biological science, biotechnology, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, including in agriculture, and other environmental issues;
4.8. Take part in the implementation of scientific research plans; the collection of specimens of wild plants, animals, soil microorganisms, agricultural plants and animals and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources for the inventorying of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge and their conservation, transfer and utilization in accordance with legislation in the field of genetic resources management, as well as the replenishment of the Republican DNA Bank of a Human, Animals, Plants and Microorganisms; 4.9. Take part in the development and publication of information and practical reference and other printed electronic materials in the field of genetic resources management