CHM - ORTBy 2030, Dominica aims to develop and operationalise Access and Benefit Sharing procedures and a national framework to ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilisation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. The framework will facilitate appropriate access, clarify responsibilities and support transparent agreements on monetary and non-monetary benefits. It will include safeguards for consent, confidentiality and traditional knowledge, recognising the rights, governance systems and priorities of the Kalinago people and local communities. Implementation will support responsible research, national capacity and benefits that contribute to conservation, sustainable use and community well-being.
Dominica aims to develop and implement a coherent ABS policy, legal and administrative framework and pursue accession to the Nagoya Protocol through the appropriate national processes. The framework will clarify institutional responsibilities, access procedures, consent requirements, mutually agreed terms, compliance arrangements and dispute resolution mechanisms. Priority actions include reviewing existing provisions and research permit procedures, preparing practical guidance and model agreements, and establishing systems to record access and track benefits. Arrangements will address both monetary and non-monetary benefits, including research collaboration, training, technology transfer and conservation support. Implementation will support Kalinago-led community protocols and culturally appropriate procedures for engagement with knowledge holders. Any documentation or sharing of traditional knowledge will be subject to appropriate consent and confidentiality safeguards, respecting community decisions on disclosure and use. National measures will also consider digital sequence information on genetic resources in accordance with relevant international arrangements. Training, public information and coordinated reporting will support consistent application of the framework.
| Metas mundiales | Grado de conformidad |
GBF-T13. GBF-T13.Tomar medidas jurídicas, de políticas, administrativas y de creación de capacidad a todos los niveles, según proceda, con miras a lograr la participación justa y equitativa en los beneficios que se deriven de la utilización de los recursos genéticos y de la información digital sobre secuencias de recursos genéticos, así como de los conocimientos tradicionales asociados a los recursos genéticos, y a lograr que para 2030 se haya propiciado un aumento significativo de los beneficios compartidos, de conformidad con los instrumentos internacionales de acceso y participación en los beneficios aplicables. | Alto |
Access to financial resources: Implementation requires sustained financing for framework development, staffing, community participation, training, information systems and compliance monitoring.
Consistency with international agreements or instruments: The framework will support the Convention on Biological Diversity’s benefit-sharing objective and take account of relevant ABS instruments and international arrangements.
Contribution and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities: Implementation will recognise Kalinago rights, governance systems and knowledge, supporting community-led protocols, appropriate consent and equitable benefit sharing.
Cooperation and synergies: The target connects biodiversity conservation with responsible research, community development, traditional knowledge protection and international cooperation.
Different value systems: The framework will recognise scientific, economic, cultural and spiritual values, including the importance of non-monetary benefits and community decisions concerning disclosure or commercial use.
Formal and informal education: Practical guidance and training will help institutions, researchers, users and knowledge holders understand access procedures, agreements, safeguards and benefit-sharing arrangements.
Fulfilment of the three objectives of the Convention and its Protocols, and their balanced implementation:The target directly advances fair and equitable benefit sharing and can support conservation and sustainable use through research partnerships, capacity development and agreed benefits.
Human rights-based approach: Procedures will support meaningful participation, access to information, appropriate consent, confidentiality and accessible mechanisms for resolving concerns and disputes.
National circumstances, priorities and capabilities: Implementation will reflect Dominica’s biodiversity, associated knowledge and institutional capacity, using practical procedures suited to national needs.
Right to development: The framework will facilitate responsible research and innovation while supporting national capacity, community priorities and equitable development benefits.
Science and innovation: Transparent access and benefit-sharing arrangements will support research collaboration, knowledge exchange and technology transfer while safeguarding resources and associated knowledge.
Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach: Implementation promotes institutional coordination and inclusive participation, with the Kalinago people and local communities involved in developing and applying relevant procedures.
National Target 13 addresses the central purpose of GBF Target 13 through the development and operation of procedures and a national framework for fair and equitable benefit sharing from genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Its inclusion of safeguards supports responsible access and protection of knowledge holders’ interests. The current target wording does not explicitly refer to digital sequence information or a significant increase in benefits shared by 2030. These are areas for clarification as implementation arrangements are developed, rather than evidence of deliberate exclusion. Relevant international arrangements will inform the treatment of digital sequence information. Implementation can further specify how appropriate access will be facilitated and how monetary and non-monetary benefits will be recorded and assessed. This will help demonstrate both the operation of the framework and its contribution to national and community benefits.
No formal non-State actor commitments have been identified towards this national target. Opportunities for voluntary contributions and partnerships can be further developed during implementation.
Additional financing, legal and technical assistance, and institutional capacity are needed to develop and apply the ABS framework. Priorities include clear institutional mandates, administrative procedures, model agreements, staff training and secure information systems for access records, compliance and benefit tracking. Dedicated support is also needed for Kalinago-led community protocols, culturally appropriate consultation, confidential knowledge protection and capacity to negotiate and manage benefit sharing agreements. Accessible guidance and sustained research partnerships will support implementation. Planning will need to account for capacity constraints, limited information and experience with ABS agreements, and the coordination required across national and international institutions.