Megadiverse Mexico ratifies the Nagoya Protocol on genetic resources

Convention on Biological Diversity
PRESS RELEASE

Montreal, 23 May 2012 - On 16 May, Mexico became the fifth country 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.

Mexico is the first of the so-called megadiverse countries to ratify the Protocol.

The Nagoya Protocol will enter into force 90 days after the deposit of the fiftieth instrument of ratification.
In addition to Mexico, the Seychelles, Rwanda, Gabon and Jordan have also ratified the Protocol. The Nagoya Protocol was open for signature between 2 February 2011 and 1 February 2012. Among 92 signatories to the Protocol, Mexico signed on 25 February 2011.

Mexico deposited its instrument of ratification to the Nagoya Protocol on 16 May 2012 at United Nations Headquarters in New York. The instrument was deposited by the Mexican Secretary of Environment and
Natural Resources, Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada, in the presence of Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli, Director of
the Treaty Section of the United Nations, David Hutchinson, Legal Adviser of United Nations, Juanita
Castano, Director of the UNEP New York office and Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Coordinator of the
United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development ("Rio+20").

Juan Rafael Quesada, Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, said that the
Protocol would provide legal certainty regarding the use of genetic resources to indigenous and local
communities, industries, pharmaceutical companies and researchers, by establishing measures to avoid
missappropriation and misuse.

Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: "Mexico's ratification is a significant milestone on the road to the entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol. It is exciting to see that one of the megadiverse countries of the world has taken this step in support of the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. I urge other Parties to the Convention to ratify as soon as possible."

In order to become Parties to the Nagoya Protocol, Parties to the Convention that have signed the Nagoya Protocol may then proceed to take steps at the domestic level that would lead to depositing their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval with the Depositary.

Parties to the Convention that were not be able to sign the Nagoya Protocol by 1 February 2012, but
still wish to become Parties, may accede to the Protocol by depositing an instrument of accession with the
Depositary. Ratification, acceptance, approval and accession have the same legal effect. Further
information on how to become a Party to the Protocol can be found at: www.cbd.int/abs/becoming-party/.
The entry into force of the Nagoya Protocol 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.


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.
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2011-2020 United Nations Decade on Biodiversity

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