Consultative Meeting of Biodiversity Working Group on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Law for Pakistan

July 26, 2011. IUCN-Islamabad Programme Office MINUTES OF THE MEETING

A consultative meeting of the Biodiversity Working Group (BWG) was held to discuss the draft law on the Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS) on July 26, 2011 at IUCN-Islamabad Programme Office. The meeting was organized by the IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. The objective of the meeting was to revitalize the Biodiversity Working Group and to discuss the formulation of the ABS law for Pakistan, so as to support the conservation of the biological resources of Pakistan and to ensure that the benefits arising from usage of such resources are equitably shared.
The meeting was chaired by Syed Mahmood Nasir, Inspector General of Forests, while eminent scientists and experts from their relevant disciplines attended the meeting (list of member of BWG is attached as Annex-I).

MINUTES OF THE MEETING (AS PER AGENDA)

During the meeting, experts provided an overview of the Nagoya Protocol and discussed the salient features of the ABS Law for Pakistan. The detailed agenda of the meeting is placed at Annex-II. AGENDA ITEM-I Introduction of the Members/Participants

The members introduced themselves for the sake of convenience. AGENDA ITEM-II Welcome Remarks

Syed Mahmood Nasir, while delivering the welcome remarks said that Pakistan has to focus on making the relevant legislation stringent, so that the biological resources of Pakistan can be conserved and sustainably used. Mr. Nasir further said that Pakistan needs to build the capacity of the relevant national organization and the provinces for reaping the benefits from Nagoya Protocol, that has been singed under the umbrella of CBD. Mr. Nasir said that the Nagoya Protocol on ABS has been opened in June 2011 for signature by parties, and thus Pakistan has to make all necessary efforts to complete the modalities in this regard. He thanked IUCN for taking a lead to support the Government of Pakistan for preparing the draft of ABS Law for Pakistan. He also said that the BWG has very important mandate and its membership has to be further diversified. He appreciated the efforts of the members for making it convenient to attend the meeting.

AGENDA ITEM-III

Overview of the Nagoya Protocol

Dr. Mamoona Wali, Technical Officer Biodiversity at Office of the Inspector General of Forest, delivered a presentation on the process adopted for the Nagoya Protocol and its salient features. She also elaborated on the process adopted by the CDB to establish a draft protocol on ABS at COP-10, Nagoya, on the ABS mechanism. Discussing the Nagoya Protocol, its access on and sharing the benefits from the use of the genetic resources of the planet, she said that it has a total of thirty-six (36) articles written about it. She also discussed the monetary and the non-monetary benefits of the Protocol. AGENDA ITEM-IV Briefing on Biodiversity Enabling Activities (CHM, ABS)

Mr. Naeem Ashraf Raja, Assistant Inspector General of Forests, gave a presentation on the development of a National Clearing House Mechanism, Capacity Assessment for ABS, Preservation of Traditional Knowledge and In situ/Ex situ conservation in Pakistan. He provided details of the project under Global Environment Facility (GEF) and elaborated on its objectives that are to undertake in depth consultations on the complex issues of ABS, develop the capacity for the Clearing House Mechanism and the assessment of capacity needs in the areas of Exsitu and In-situ conservation as per the recommendations of CBD. He also explained details of activities to be undertaken under each objective of the project. Mr. Raja also regarded the tenure rights to be considered in detail during formulation of an ABS Law. AGENDA ITEM-V Briefing on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Law

Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, Manager of the IUCN-Islamabad Programme Office delivered a presentation on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Law under CBD. After an overview on the concept on biodiversity and explanation of the related chronology to ABS, Mr. Cheema enlisted the obligations of Parties under the Nagoya Protocol and also shared a list of countries which have ratified the Protocol so far. He also presented a comparison of the Nagoya Protocol and the draft Biodiversity Act of 2007. AGENDA ITEM-VI Discussions

All members of the BWG had a detailed discussion on the modalities and obligations of the Nagoya Protocol, its various aspects and the construction of the draft ABS law for Pakistan. Members of the BWG reviewed the modalities of the Nagoya Protocol under CBD and discussed the framework for preparing an ABS law for the country, particularly in light of the post 18th Constitutional Amendment the subsequent devolution of the Ministry of Environment and new roles and responsibilities of the relevant institutions. It was discussed that the relevant capacities of all the provinces must be built to deal with the ABS law, since they are given greater mandate after the devolution of subjects to the provincial institutions.
The members agreed that the users of all natural produce, particularly a number of pharmaceutical and tibi pharmaceutical industries, must be involved and consulted for preparation of the law as they have a key role to play in this regard. It was also discussed that research institutions like National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) and Centre for Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab should also be involved during the consultation for the law. Organizations like Sarhad NGOs Ittehad, Sungi Development Foundation and Inter-Cooperation must also be consulted.

Mr. Saeed uz Zaman, Chief Conservator of Wildlife, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said that for conservation of biodiversity, it is necessary that detailed and in-depth studies on existing use of representative species of each ecological zone are done to study current practices and trends. He also said that this will help devise laws for the promotion of their conservation and sustainable use. A detailed discussion was also held on the consequences of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, which has resulted in having many of the subjects devolved to provinces. The working group agreed that a thorough understanding has to be developed regarding the new roles of various institutions particularly those in the provinces to formulate and implement the ABS law. Therefore, the process has to be rigorously done so that various legal and constitutional modalities are considered right from the beginning of the process. Some of the members also elaborated on the need of promoting awareness and education on biodiversity. They also stressed on the need of conducting a stocktaking exercise on the available knowledge and information related to biodiversity in Pakistan. Furthermore, Mr. Naeem Ashraf Raja informed that the Pakistan Museum of Natural History is being facilitated to compile and present all biodiversity and conservation-related information in Pakistan that will be developed to serve as Clearing-House Mechanism for Pakistan, as mandatory under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The PMNH will serve as central repository for all the relevant knowledge and information. He also urged all relevant institutions and agency to lend support in this regard. Barrister Zafar Ullah Khan during his input to the construct of the ABS law elaborated on various legal modalities of drafting a law, particularly in reference to the devolution of various subjects to provinces. It was also discussed that the composition and membership of the Biodiversity Working Group needs to be balanced with diverse representation by including experts from disciplines of agriculture, fisheries and livestock.

AGENDA ITEM-VII

Vote of Thanks and Way Forward

Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema thanked all the members for their presence and valuable contribution to the meeting and for their inputs for the formulation of the ABS law. He also informed that a National Workshop on ABS Law is scheduled to be held on 7-8 September, 2011 in Islamabad and invited all the members of BWG to participate in the event. It was decided that more frequent meetings would be held in the future.

ANNEX- I

LIST OF MEMBERS OF BIODIVERSITY WORKING GROUP

#
1.

Name, Designation and Address

Syed Mahmood Nasir Inspector General of Forests Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Dr. Shahzad Jehangir Deputy Inspector General of Forests (I) Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Mr. Abdul Munaf Qaimkhani, Deputy Inspector General of Forests (II) Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Mr. Naeem Ashraf Raja Assistant Deputy Inspector General of Forests Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Mr. Aurangzeb Ashraf Awan Assistant Deputy Inspector General of Forests Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Dr. Mamoona Wali Mohammad Technical Officer Biodiversity Planning and Development Division ENERCON Building, Sector G-5/2 Islamabad Syed Said Badshah Bukhari Director General Pakistan Forest Institute Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar

Phone/Fax

Email
smn@yahoo.com

2.

9245586 Fax: 9245598

jahangir2000@hotmail.com

3.

9262270 0321-5259339 Fax: 9245585

amqaimkhani@yahoo.com

4.

9245596 0333-5201089 Fax: 9245598

naeemashrafraja@yahoo.com

5.

0345-5302294

aurangzebawan@hotmail.com

6.

0300-5934844

mamoonawali@hotmail.com

7.

091-9216123 0333-5269211 Fax: 9216203

dg.fscrd@yahoo.com

8.

Dr. Azhar Hassan Director General Pakistan Museum of Natural History Garden Avenue, Shakarparian, Islamabad Dr Shahid Iqbal Director Federal Seed Certification & Registration Department Mauve Area Sector G-9/4 Islamabad Mr. Hubdar Ali Jatoee Director Agriculture Farm and Major Crop Development Sindh Agriculture Extension Department Government of Sindh Shahbaz building, Block-F Hyderabad Mr. Abdul Wahab Khan Director, Zoological Survey Department Ministry of Science & Technology Zoological Survey Department Simly Dam Road, Kalma Chowk Bhara Kahu, Islamabad Dr. Saeed uz Zaman Chief Conservator of Wildlife Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department Forest Offices, Shami Road, Peshawar Mr. Abdul Jabbar Kazi Chief Conservator of Forest Sindh Sindh Forest Department Shehbaz Building Block, Hyderabad Sindh Prof. Dr. Abdus Salam Khan Chairman Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics University of Agriculture Faisalabad

9252082 9252086 Fax: 9252087

syedazarhassan@hotmail.com

9.

9260237 Fax: 9260234

10.

229201266 229200053 Fax: 229200751

dir_majorcrops@yahoo.com

11.

0300-9076807

wahaab69@yahoo.com

12.

9211479 Fax: 9212090

chief.conservator@gmail.com

13.

022-9200092, 0300-3130812 Fax: 022-9200209

forest4.people@yahoo.com

14.

041-9200161/70Ext,2921,2929 03457938379

drabdussalam@yahoo.com

15.

Dr. Manzoor Hussain Associate Professor & Chairman Botany Department Government Postgraduate College No.1 Abbottabad Dr. Saifullah Khan Associate Professor Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Institute Karachi University Mr. Saeed Iqbal Seed Certification Officer Mauve Area Sector G-9/4 Islamabad Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Deputy Director General World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan 60, Bazar Road G-6/4 Islamabad Barrister Zafarullah Khan Islamabad State Life Building No. 7, Blue Area, Sector F-6, Islamabad Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema Manager IUCN-Islamabad Programme Office No: 21, Street 88, Sector G-6/3 Islamabad Mr. Saadullah Ayaz Coordinator Climate Change/Clean Air IUCN-Islamabad Programme Office No: 21, Street 88, Sector G-6/3 Islamabad

0334-5583289

mhussain8pk@yahoo.com hussainmanzoor@hotmail.com

16.

300-2375938

drsaif65@gmail.com

17.

9260154 Fax: 9260234

saeediqbal65@hotmail.com

18.

2602431-3 0332-2523982

eahmad@wwf.org.pk

19.

2878075-6

zafrkhan@gmail.com

20.

2271027-34

mahmood.cheema@iucn.org

21.

2271027-34

saad.ayaz@iucn.org

ANNEX- II

AGENDA OF THE MEETING ON BIODIVERSITY WORKING GROUP

Time 0930-0935 0935-0945 0945-1010 1010-1100 1100-1145 1145-1300 1300-1310 1310

Description Introduction of Members Welcome Remarks An Overview of Nagoya Protocol Briefing on Biodiversity Enabling Activities Briefing on ABS Law Discussion and Way Forward/ Any other agenda item Closing remarks Lunch

Presenter

Syed Mahmood Nasir Inspector General of Forests Dr. Mamoona Wali Mohammad Technical Officer Biodiversity Naeem Ashraf Raja Assistant Inspector General of Forests Mahmood Akhtar Cheema IUCN Members Syed Mahmood Nasir Inspector General of Forests

ANNEX- III

PRESENTATIONS