Online Reporting Tool

National Target

General

Government

Kenya

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Target 17: Strengthen biosafety measures and enhance access to benefits of biotechnology.

Description

By 2030 strengthen capacity for, and implement, biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and measures for the handling of biotechnology including emerging biotechnologies and distribution of its benefits as set out in Article 19 of the Convention

Please outline the main policy measures or actions that will be taken to achieve this national target.

Kenya plans to accede to the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol and develop national framework to implement the Protocol. Kenya also plans to review the National Biotechnology Development Policy, Biosafety Act and Biosafety Regulations, establish a National Molecular laboratory, also serving as a Regional Centre for the detection, identification and quantification and assessment of biotechnology products including emerging biotechnologies. A comprehensive public awareness and training program for biotechnology and biosafety will be developed and implemented in the period. A system for the sharing of benefits arising from biotechnology will be developed, implemented and monitored.

Alignment

Contribution to global Goals

GBF-G-B. Biodiversity is sustainably used and its contributions to people are maintained, enhanced or restored

GBF-G-C. Benefits from the use of genetic resources are shared and substantially increased

GBF-G-A. Ecosystems are conserved, extinctions are halted and genetic diversity is maintained

Alignment with global targets

Global Targets	Degree of Alignment
GBF-T13. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, digital sequence information and associated traditional knowledge GBF-T13. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, digital sequence information and associated traditional knowledge Take effective legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits that arise from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, and facilitating appropriate access to genetic resources, and by 2030 facilitating a significant increase of the benefits shared, in accordance with applicable international access and benefit-sharing instruments.	High
GBF-T20. Capacity-building and development, technology transfer, and technical and scientific cooperation for implementation is strengthened GBF-T20. Capacity-building and development, technology transfer, and technical and scientific cooperation for implementation is strengthened Strengthen capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology, and promote development of and access to innovation and technical and scientific cooperation, including through South-South, North-South and triangular cooperation, to meet the needs for effective implementation, particularly in developing countries, fostering joint technology development and joint scientific research programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthening scientific research and monitoring capacities, commensurate with the ambition of the goals and targets of the framework.	High
GBF-T08. Minimize impacts of climate change and ocean acidification including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches GBF-T08. Minimize impacts of climate change and ocean acidification including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches Minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and increase its resilience through mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction actions, including through nature-based solution and/or ecosystem-based approaches, while minimizing negative and fostering positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity.	High
GBF-T17. Strengthen biosafety and distribute benefits of biotechnology GBF-T17. Strengthen biosafety and distribute benefits of biotechnology Establish, strengthen capacity for, and implement in all countries biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention on Biological Diversity and measures for the handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits as set out in Article 19 of the Convention.	High

Which of the “considerations for implementation” in Section C of the GBF have been taken into account in developing this national target, and the actions to implement it

Science and innovation

Biodiversity and health

Ecosystem approach

Access to financial resources

Collective effort towards the targets

Consistency with international agreements or instruments

Contribution and rights of indigenous peoples and local communities

Cooperation and synergies

Different value systems

Formal and informal education

Fulfilment of the three objectives of the Convention and its Protocols, and their balanced implementation

Gender

Human rights-based approach

Intergenerational equity

National circumstances, priorities and capabilities

Principles of the Rio Declaration

Right to development

Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach

Please explain how these considerations have been taken into account

Ensure financial mechanisms are in place to fund biotechnology initiatives.
Conduct thorough assessments to evaluate and mitigate potential adverse effects on ecosystems and public health.
Foster collaboration among various stakeholders to achieve biosafety and biotechnology goals.
Align national biosafety and biotechnology policies with international agreements like the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing.
Ensure Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are involved in decision-making processes and benefit from biotechnological advancements.
Apply an ecosystem approach to ensure that biotechnological interventions do not harm biodiversity and ecosystems.
Incorporate biosafety and biotechnology topics into formal education curricula and conduct community outreach programs.
Ensure policies respect and promote human rights and gender inclusivity.
Develop sustainable biosafety practices to ensure the long-term safety and availability of biotechnological benefits.
Invest in research and development to ensure safe, effective, and beneficial biotechnological advancements.

Explanation, including which aspects of the goal or target are covered

Development and enforcement of biosafety laws.

Fair distribution of benefits from biotechnology and genetic resources.

Strengthening skills and knowledge in biosafety and biotechnology.

Educating stakeholders about biosafety and biotechnology benefits and risks. Development of training programs, workshops, and educational initiatives to enhance the skills and knowledge of stakeholders Provision of scholarships and fellowships for advanced studies

Collaborative efforts to promote biosafety and biotechnology advancements.

Promotion of bilateral and multilateral agreements for scientific and technical cooperation

Indicators to be used to monitor this national target

Headline indicators

A.1 Red List of Ecosystems

A.2 Extent of natural ecosystems

A.3 Red List Index

A.4 Proportion of populations within species with an effective population size greater than 500

B.1 Services provided by ecosystems

C.1 Monetary benefits received in accordance with applicable internationally agreed access and benefit-sharing instruments

C.2 Non-monetary benefits arising from applicable international access and benefit-sharing instruments

Binary indicators

17.b Number of countries that have taken action to implement biosafety measures as set out in Article 8(g) of the Convention and measures for the handling of biotechnology and the distribution of its benefits as set out in Article 19

8.b Number of countries with policies to minimize the impact of climate change and ocean acidification on biodiversity and to minimize negative and foster positive impacts of climate action on biodiversity

B.b Number of countries with policies or actions for implementing and monitoring the sustainable use of biodiversity and the maintenance and enhancement of nature’s contributions to people, including ecosystem functions and services

13.b Number of countries that have taken effective legal, policy, administrative and capacity-building measures at all levels, as appropriate, to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and from digital sequence information on genetic resources, as well as traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources

Component indicators

4.CT.1 Number of (a) plant and (b) animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium- or long-term conservation facilities

Complementary indicators

Number of countries that establish and implement risk management measures

Percentage of Parties to the Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress

Percentage of Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety implementing the relevant provisions of the Protocol

Number of countries that carry out scientifically sound risk assessments to support biosafety decision-making

Number of countries that have the necessary biosafety legal and administrative measures in place

Number of countries that have the necessary measures and means for detection and identification of products of biotechnology

Number of countries that implement their biosafety measures

Number of countries with mechanisms to facilitate the sharing of and access to information on potential adverse impacts of biotechnology on biodiversity and human health

Other national indicators

Number of policies, legislations, and guidelines developed/reviewed and implemented for effective biosafety management of GMOs and emerging biotechnologies

Percentage completion of establishment of a fully functional Regional molecular reference laboratory for detection and identification of biotechnology products

Number of stakeholders trained on risk assessment, risk management and socioeconomic impacts of GMOs and other emerging biotechnologies

Percentage increase of public awareness and education on biotechnology and biosafety increased.

Timeliness of Biosafety Approvals (Monitor the time it takes to assess and make decisions on biotechnology applications).

Number of GMOs Meeting Biosafety Standards (Calculate the percentage of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and biotechnological products available in the market that meet Kenya's biosafety standards).

Number of entries posted/decisions compliance on the update of the Biosafety Clearing House (BCH)

Guideline for equitable access to the results and benefits arising from biotechnology developed and implemented

GBF-T13. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, digital sequence information and associated traditional knowledge

GBF-T20. Capacity-building and development, technology transfer, and technical and scientific cooperation for implementation is strengthened

GBF-T08. Minimize impacts of climate change and ocean acidification including through nature-based solutions and/or ecosystem-based approaches

GBF-T17. Strengthen biosafety and distribute benefits of biotechnology