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Intergovernmental Committee

At the Tenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in decision X-1, Parties decided to establish an Open-ended Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Committee (ICNP) for the Nagoya Protocol on ABS as an interim governing body for the Nagoya Protocol until the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol at which time it will cease to exist. The ICNP shall undertake, with the support of the Executive Secretary, the preparations necessary for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.

Parties agreed that the ICNP should meet twice during the inter-sessional period. The first meeting of the ICNP was held from 5 to 10 June 2011 and the second meeting will be held from 9 to 13 April 2012. A work plan, as contained in Annex II of decision X-1, was endorsed for the ICNP and contains issues for consideration by the ICNP at its first and second meetings.


First meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ICNP)

5-10 June 2011, Montreal, Canada

The ICNP made recommendations on the following issues:

  • Recommendation 1/1
    The modalities of operation of the Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House
  • Recommendation 1/2
    Measures to assist in capacity-building, capacity development and strengthening of human resources and institutional capacities in developing countries and Parties with economies in transition
  • Recommendation 1/3
    Measures to raise awareness of the importance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge
  • Recommendation 1/4
    Cooperative procedures and institutional mechanisms to promote compliance with the Protocol and address cases of non-compliance

Meeting Website Final Report and meeting documents


Second meeting of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Committee for the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ICNP)

To be held on 9-13 April 2012 in Delhi, India

The ICNP will consider the following issues:

  • The development of a programme budget for the biennium following the entry into force of the Protocol;
  • The elaboration of guidance for the financial mechanism and resources mobilization for the implementation of the Protocol;
  • Consideration of the rules of procedures for the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Protocol;
  • Elaboration of the draft provisional agenda for the first meeting of the Parties;
  • The need for and modalities for a global multi-lateral benefit-sharing mechanism; and
  • Continued consideration of items taken up at the first meetings of the IGC, as needed.

Meeting Documents


  • United Nations
  • United Nations Environment Programme