On November 18-20, 2025, the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus held the 6th International Scientific Conference “Genetics & Biotechnology of the 21st Century: Challenges, Achievements and Prospects” to mark the Institute’s 60th anniversary.
As part of the section “Genomic research in animal husbandry. Genetic resources and their conservation”, Olga Malysheva, ResearchScientist of the National Coordination Centre on Access to Genetic resources and Benefit-Sharing” (ABS NCC), made a report entitled “Legal regulation of genetic resources management, their study and conservation.”
The report noted that natural genetic resources, as well as those preserved in gene banks and collections, constitute the national wealth of the Republic of Belarus. These resources are stored and preserved in 17 gene banks and collections and 10 out of them are recognized as a national heritage.
A special emphasis was made to the provisions of the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On Genetic Resources Management” of March 5, 2024, establishing legal frameworks for the state regulation in the field of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge management. The Law defines the following:
- A procedure for genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge transfer;
- Rights and obligations of their providers and users;
- Mechanisms to monitor genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge utilization and research results;
- Maintaining an electronic database;
- Liability for a violation of legislation;
- A procedure for sharing monetary and non-monetary benefit arising from genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge utilization.
It was emphasized that the key principle of legal regulation is to ensure access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, including obtaining the right to use them outside the Republic of Belarus and the Internationally Recognized Certificate of Compliance with the provisions of the Nagoya Protocol serves as the confirmation of such access.
Taking into account the fact of the strategic importance of certain varieties of agricultural plants for the country’s food security, access to plant genetic resources (a list was approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of December 20, 2024, No. 982) for non-commercial research purposes is provided based on mandatory administrative procedures, including the establishment of mutually agreed benefit-sharing terms, and approval of the Ministry of Natural Resources is not requested at that.
It was also noted that the Law shall not apply to the following:
- Human genetic resources;
- Pathogenic and potentially pathogenic microorganisms;
- Genetic resources that are transferred and utilized inside in the Republic of Belarus;
- Genetic resources of animal, plant and microbiological origin, provided no further research is stipulated.