Such examples, however, are still uncommon, although a number of examples exist, particularly in the pharmaceutical and herbal medicine sectors. Nonetheless, the same sector often shows abuse of traditional knowledge combined with unsustainable production patterns.

IUCN urges governments to give greater attention to the relationship between benefit-sharing and the achievement of the other primary objectives of the CBD – conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components.

“A reasonable and sustainable share in benefits from their genetic resources can be a strong incentive for knowledge-holders – indigenous and local communities – to conserve biological resources. It can forge a link between the Convention and international objectives of poverty alleviation and sustainable development”, says Achim Steiner. “If not designed and regulated in a way that serves these objectives, however, genetic resource contracts and use can become destructive.”

Xenya Cherny

World Conservation Union http://iucn.org/

For more information, contact:

Xenya Cherny, IUCN Communications Unit, Tel: +41 79 729 0924, Fax: +41 22 999 0020, E-mail: xenya.cherny@iucn.org

Tomme Young, IUCN Environmental Law Center, Tel: +31 6 134 256 80, E-mail: tomme.young@elc.iucn.org