Call for speedy ratification of the Law on Access to Genetic Resources

The Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources, Dr. Mona Ali Mohamed Ahmed affirmed that the council pays special attention to the issue of biodiversity and it gives priorities to biodiversity, since it is an essential element in life and preserves the ecological balance. She explained when addressing the conclusion of the training workshop for monitoring biodiversity that the geographical location of Sudan and its various regions contributed to the existence of rich and unique biodiversity in its various environments, which necessitates its preservation and development. And she called for the necessity of having a broad database of biodiversity vocabulary that includes all the competent authorities to contribute to the development of the economy and tourism, laying down plans, enriching scientific research and decision-making to conserve biodiversity in all its forms and patterns.

Then, she distributed training certificates to twenty participants from government and academic agencies. The participants adopted a number of recommendations, foremost of which is urging the concerned authorities to expedite the ratification of the law on access to genetic resources to ensure the state’s sovereignty over its genetic resources and the exchange of benefits, in addition to registering the ownership of varieties and traditional knowledge and establishing gene banks. plant pollen, protect endangered species and expand the establishment of museums and nature reserves, stressing the importance of having a permanent program and system for monitoring and controlling biodiversity, paying attention to training human cadres and increasing networking to develop Sudan’s capabilities in the field of biodiversity conservation.