As part of the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, the Department of Sustainable Development organized, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), a national workshop to launch the Capacity-Building Programme on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS).

The workshop was organized under the ABS Nagoya II Project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with support from UNDP. It aims to strengthen the operationalization of Morocco's national ABS mechanism.

The opening session featured addresses by Mr. Mostafa MADBOUHI, representing the Department of Sustainable Development, and the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Morocco, in the presence of representatives of government departments, national institutions, technical partners and experts involved in the project.

In his opening remarks, Mr. MADBOUHI highlighted the strategic importance of the Nagoya Protocol, to which Morocco acceded in 2022, as a key international instrument supporting biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of genetic resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

He emphasized that establishing an effective national ABS mechanism is a priority that requires not only a strengthened legal and institutional framework, but also enhanced national capacities and close coordination among the institutions concerned.

These efforts are aligned with Morocco's international commitments on biodiversity, particularly the strong>Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the country's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan towards 2035.

The opening session also included an address by the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP in Morocco, reflecting the continued partnership between the Department of Sustainable Development and UNDP in supporting the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

The workshop marked the official launch of the National ABS Capacity-Building Programme 2026–2028, an important step in implementing the National Capacity-Building Plan for ABS towards 2035.

The programme aims to strengthen the technical, legal and institutional capacities of national and regional stakeholders involved in ABS, improve intersectoral coordination, and develop the tools required for the effective implementation of the national ABS mechanism.

It includes twelve training sessions, thematic workshops and practical technical support focusing on three pilot value chains: argan, saffron and the Rose of Jericho.

Following the institutional opening session, the workshop continued with the launch of the first training module (Module A1), dedicated to the fundamentals of the Nagoya Protocol and Morocco's national ABS framework.

This first session, primarily targeting officials from government institutions and relevant sectoral authorities, covered key ABS principles, benefit-sharing mechanisms, institutional responsibilities, and the integration of traditional knowledge, gender considerations and social inclusion into the national mechanism.

The training adopted a participatory approach, combining technical presentations, interactive discussions and group exercises to promote a shared understanding of ABS and clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of the institutions involved.

Through this programme, Morocco seeks to consolidate the national capacities needed to establish a functional, transparent and inclusive ABS mechanism that reconciles the sustainable valorization of genetic resources, scientific research and innovation with the interests of local communities holding associated traditional knowledge.

This initiative represents another important milestone in fulfilling Morocco's commitments under the Nagoya Protocol and promoting the sustainable and equitable governance of its biological heritage.

The programme is implemented by the Department of Sustainable Development, with support from UNDP, funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and technical assistance from SDI Global Consult.