Gabon becomes the first country to ratify the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources

Press release

Montreal, 14 November 2011 -On 11 November 2011, Gabon, became the first
Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to ratify 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.

The Nagoya Protocol, which was opened for signature in February 2011, will enter into force 90 days after
deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification. It currently has 66 signatories.

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary to the Convention on Biological Diversity said: "Gabon's historic
ratification of the Nagoya Protocol is the first step toward entry into force of this unique legal instrument.
I urge all signatories to expedite the ratification process so as to allow the Nagoya Protocol to enter into
force in 2012, as a contribution to the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, the Rio+20 meeting and the
eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, which will
coincide with the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Convention."

The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable
Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization will provide greater legal certainty and transparency for
both providers and users of genetic resources, creating a framework that promotes the use of genetic
resources and associated traditional knowledge while strengthening the opportunities for fair and equitable
sharing of benefits from their use. Hence, the Protocol will create new incentives to conserve biodiversity,
sustainably use its components, and further enhance the contribution of biodiversity to sustainable development and human well-being.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has provided financial support for the early entry into force and
effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund was
established by GEF with an initial financial contribution of US$ 12.5 million from Japan. In addition, a
medium-sized project of US$ 1 million is providing support to the ratification and early entry into force of
the Nagoya Protocol through a series of awareness-raising and capacity-building activities. The project is
being executed by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and is now fully operational.

Montreal. For more information visit www.cbd.int.

For additional information, please contact: David Ainsworth on +1 514
287 7025 or at
david.ainsworth@cbd.int; or Johan Hedlund on +1 514 287 6670 or at
johan.hedlund@cbd.int.

2011-2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity
http://www.cbd.int/