Informal expert workshop on practical guidelines for equitable sharing of benefits of biological resources in BioTrade activities

This informal UNCTAD BTFP workshop aimed to promote discussion and concrete inputs towards a practical and effective approach to facilitating equitable benefit-sharing in the context of BioTrade activities. The workshop brought together a small group of experts on different aspects of benefit-sharing and BioTrade activities and companies working with products derived from biodiversity, both in importing and exporting countries. Plenary discussions took place on the basis of presentations on the challenges and potential solutions for a more equitable sharing of benefits derived from the sustainable use of biodiversity in the BioTrade context. Working groups then conducted an in-depth discussion of a concept note outlining the scope, specific objectives and potential elements of the BioTrade guidelines on benefitsharing. In addition, during follow-up conversations on September 15, a smaller group of participants, building on work conducted the previous day, discussed a revised framework for the BioTrade guidelines, as well as concrete suggestions regarding content and language.