Trang chủIn the context of accelerating global biodiversity loss, the management and sustainable use of genetic resources has become an increasingly urgent issue for many countries. In Vietnam, the implementation of the National Action Program on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing (ABS) is considered a significant step toward ensuring that the utilization of biological resources is conducted transparently and fairly, while also contributing to long-term nature conservation.
The concept of access to genetic resources and benefit sharing is defined under the Convention on Biological Diversity and further elaborated through the Nagoya Protocol—an important international agreement designed to ensure that benefits arising from the use of genetic resources are shared fairly with the countries and communities that provide those resources. This framework serves as a crucial legal basis for protecting biological resources while promoting scientific research and economic development based on biodiversity.
Genetic Resources – Valuable Assets of Biodiversity
Genetic resources include genetic material of actual or potential value derived from plants, animals, microorganisms, and other organisms in nature. These resources play a vital role in numerous sectors such as agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, and the pharmaceutical industry.
Vietnam is widely recognized as one of the countries with high levels of biodiversity, possessing a wide range of ecosystems including tropical forests, mangrove forests, marine ecosystems, and mountainous habitats. Protected areas such as Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park and Cuc Phuong National Park host many valuable genetic resources, including endemic species of plants and animals with important scientific and economic value.
However, the global use of genetic resources has also raised concerns about fairness and equity. In many cases, biological resources have been utilized to develop commercial products, while the benefits have not been adequately shared with the countries or indigenous communities where the resources originated. For this reason, the ABS mechanism was established to ensure fairness in the access to and use of biological resources.
Implementing the National ABS Action Program
To fulfill international commitments and strengthen the management of genetic resources, Vietnam has developed and implemented the National Action Program on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing. The program aims to establish a transparent and effective management system that regulates access to genetic resources while ensuring that benefits derived from their use are shared appropriately.
One of the key components of the program is the development and improvement of the legal framework governing genetic resource management. These regulations clearly define the procedures for granting access permits to genetic resources, the responsibilities of organizations and individuals involved in their utilization, and the mechanisms for sharing benefits with the state and local communities.
In addition, the program focuses on establishing a national database on genetic resources. The inventory, assessment, and documentation of valuable genetic materials provide a scientific basis for research, conservation, and sustainable utilization of biological resources.
Linking Conservation with Economic Development
One of the primary objectives of the ABS mechanism is to promote the sustainable use of biodiversity while generating economic benefits for society. When genetic resources are used to develop products such as medicines, functional foods, new crop varieties, or other biological products, part of the profits generated must be shared with the country and communities that provide those resources.
This mechanism not only helps mobilize financial resources for conservation activities but also encourages local authorities and communities to protect their biological resources. Many indigenous communities living in biodiversity-rich regions possess valuable traditional knowledge related to medicinal plants, crop varieties, and native species. Recognizing and sharing benefits derived from this knowledge is also an essential component of the ABS framework.
Promoting International Cooperation and Scientific Research
In the context of rapid scientific advancement, access to genetic resources is increasingly linked to research and development in fields such as Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering. Numerous research institutes, universities, and biotechnology companies are seeking new genetic resources to develop products for healthcare, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology.
Vietnam’s ABS program also facilitates international cooperation in scientific research. Foreign organizations that wish to access genetic resources in Vietnam must comply with national regulations and fulfill benefit-sharing obligations according to mutually agreed terms. This approach helps safeguard national resources while creating a transparent and sustainable environment for international collaboration.
Raising Public Awareness
In addition to legal and scientific measures, raising public awareness about the value of genetic resources is also a critical task. When communities understand the importance of biological resources for economic development and environmental protection, they are more likely to actively participate in conservation activities.
Environmental education programs, communication campaigns, and professional training initiatives are being implemented to help government officials, scientists, and local communities better understand the ABS mechanism and their responsibilities in protecting genetic resources.
Toward Sustainable Management of Biological Resources
The implementation of the National Action Program on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing represents an important step in Vietnam’s biodiversity conservation strategy. This mechanism not only helps safeguard valuable genetic resources but also creates opportunities for economic development based on science and biotechnology.
In the coming years, continued policy improvement, stronger international cooperation, and increased investment in scientific research will enable Vietnam to utilize its genetic resources more effectively for sustainable development. When biological resources are managed transparently and benefits are shared fairly, nature conservation efforts are more likely to gain widespread support from society, thereby helping to preserve biodiversity for future generations.