Program of Work

Supporting Member organizations’ work on Access and Benefits Sharing by:

• Raise awareness within the biodiversity biobank and genetic research communities
• Review and fill additional gaps in best practice and ABS resources as needed,
  • With partners (e.g., WFCC, CETAF, SPNHC, SYNTHESYS+)
  • Independently
• Develop additional use cases for management of permit/legal information
• Assess member’s progress on implementation of GGBN permit fields
• Implement Data Harvesting Tools (with Data Standards Task Force)

Current Activities

• Work with INSDC to make the GGBN Data Standard the global standard for implementing the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit sharing.
• Continue GGBN representation on digital sequence information discussions and complete CBD case study on databases and traceability
• Perform assessment on permit field implementation across GGBN membership
• As part of SYNTHESYS+ Work Package 3, the task force is exploring the use of the International Plant Exchange Networks, viz. an IPEN-like Code of Conduct could facilitate the exchange of samples among member institutions
• Serving on the EBP Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues Committee

Accomplishments

• Performed a Combined Study on Digital Sequence Information in Public and Private Databases and Traceability
• Conducted review of GGBN ABS guidance materials, including the Code of Conduct, Best Practice for Access and Benefit Sharing and Standard Material Transfer Agreements.
• Developed and made available an ABS Fact Sheet and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
• Released the ABS workshop report on tracking information on the use of genetic samples.
• Submitted an opinion letter to the CBD on DSI, participated in the Ad-hoc technical expert group on DSI, and supported a joint stakeholder statement on DSI to the CBD.
• Held five workshops on ABS awareness (GGBN 2016 conference, North American Regional Workshop, South American Regional Workshop, Asian Regional workshop and GGBN 2018 conference).

Related Resources

• CETAF Best Practice and Code of Conduct for Access and Benefit Sharing

Current Members

• Amber Scholz, German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures GmbH (2020-present), Chair
• Katie Barker, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2011-present)
• Carol Butler, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (2011-present)
• Manuela da Silva, FIOCRUZ (2016-present)
• Gabi Droege, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem (2011-present)
• Chris Lyal, Natural History Museum London (2012-present)
• Anissa Lybaert, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada(2017-present)
• Kakha Nadiradze, Association for Farmers Rights Defense (2021-present)
• Ole Seberg, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen (2011-present)
• Breda Zimkus, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard (2017-present)