Cameroon's National Forum on Genetic Resources
On January 16 and 17, 2025, stakeholders involved in developing biodiversity-based value chains came together to open a new chapter, discussing opportunities and challenges in this lesser-known niche sector.
All eyes were focused on the Yaoundé National Museum where over 50 exhibitors had pitched well decorated tents, displayed biodiversity products, knowledge and know-how ready to unveil the beauty of Cameroon’s genetic resources to over 000 visitors.
It all started with a well-decorated esplanade of the National Museum with roll-ups, backdrops, banners, posters carrying several logos, including those of the GIZ, MINEPDED, UNEP, the main organisers of the forum, and the tents with well-designed pediments to identify their occupants.
The solemn opening ceremony, presided by the Minister of the Environment, Nature Protection and Sustainable Development Mr. Pierre Hele was attended by several other dignitaries, including the UNEP, GEF, GIZ, AFD, UNIDO resident representatives, traditional rulers, directors from several ministries and over 200 participants coming from all the regions of the country. Several speeches on the topic were made with emphasis on capturing the economic opportunities offered by Cameroon’s genetic resources, avenues to increase value-addition and the need to set up a platform of continuous dialogue amongst stakeholders to improve on doing business in the sector.
The official opening ceremony was crowned by the Minister’s visit to the exhibition stands showcasing a diverse range of exhibitors from laboratory research results, cosmetics over biopharma and food product manufacturers, to the traditional know-how of indigenous and local communities.
The event pulled together a panoply of media organs that kept the national public abreast with the objectives and happenings at the event.
The climax of the forum was attained during the thematic conferences where stakeholders had the opportunity to fully engage in discussions and exchanges aimed at increasing synergies and complementarities. The discussions focused, among other things, on steering university research towards commercial R&D and encouraging private sector actors to explore partnerships with researchers for product development. Participants also explored opportunities to integrate diverse local traditional knowledge into laboratory research, along with mechanisms to ensure trust and fairness in recognizing and utilizing this knowledge.
The thematic session on mainstreaming genetic resources into national and sector policies development and implementation highlighted the need to further explore their strong interconnections as a prerequisite to enhance economic value of genetic resources. Decentralized state structures such as Councils and Regions have a primordial role to include the valorisation of genetic resources in their economic and development planning documents and establishing dialogue with other stakeholders like the universities and enterprises operating in their jurisdiction.
The major outcomes of the forum could be seen in various spectra, particularly in the strong mobilization, high attendance, and extensive information sharing to stakeholders and the public. Additionally, the event beautifully showcased the impressive work of research, MSMEs and local communities, highlighting how they are already utilizing and benefiting from the use and trade of genetic resources. Awareness raised on the need to develop synergies, build trust, further build capacities, eliminate hurdles and barriers in doing business in the sector, and to promote dialogue in the sector.
Given the positive feedback from all, organisers and participants, we look forward to this event marking the beginning of a continuing series.
Februar 2025