Introduction

Cameroon’s recent adoption of the Nagoya Protocol marks a significant step towards harnessing its rich biodiversity for sustainable development.

Cameroon’s Biodiversity Wealth

Biodiversity Hotspot: Cameroon hosts approximately 11,000 species, offering immense genetic resources for research and development.
Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous communities possess invaluable traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity, contributing to bioprospecting (search for useful products derived from bioresources including plants, microorganisms, animals, etc.).
Bioprospecting Potential: Bioprospecting projects, such as those focusing on species like Irvingia wombulu, present opportunities for sustainable resource utilization.

	Details
Purpose	Implements access and benefit-sharing obligations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Adoption	October 2010
Entry into Force	October 12, 2014
Legal Status	Legally binding global agreement
Objective	Ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the utilization of genetic resources
Membership	India is a member
Benefits	Establishes a framework for accessing genetic resources for research Provides certainty for investment in biodiversity-based research Ensures fair sharing of benefits from resource use Recognizes the value of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources
Scope	Genetic resources covered by the CBD Benefits arising from their utilization Traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources covered by the CBD and benefits from their utilization

	Description
Adoption Date	Opened for signing in 1992 at the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro
Objectives	Conservation of biological diversity, Sustainable use of biological diversity, Fair and equitable benefit sharing
Membership	196 contracting parties
Scope	Covers biodiversity conservation at all levels: Ecosystems, Species, and Genetic resources
Decision-Making Body	Conference of the Parties (COP)
Secretariat	Based in Montreal, Canada
Supporting Agreements	Cartagena Protocol (2000) for regulating LMOs movement, Nagoya Protocol (2010) for access and benefit sharing