ABS Biotrade: Activities and Achievements

Conditions for implementation of national ABS regulations are improved:

Country and stakeholder-specific ABS manuals
Blended training course on ABS contracts
(Gender-specific) ABS contract negotiation trainings and advice
IT-based application and information system
Training of IT-based application and information system
Guidance and advice on requirements for ABS compliance and permitting procedures

Biodiversity conservation measures as part of benefit-sharing agreements are developed:

Catalogue existing and develop potential national mechanisms for biodiversity conservation in benefit-sharing
Knowledge exchange on appropriate financing mechanisms at national and international level
Mapping of best practices on benefit sharing for conservation among private sector

Market potentials of selected biodiversity-based value chains respecting the UNCTAD BioTrade principles are utilised:

Cooperation between European and African businesses
Capacity-building for the implementation of sustainable supply chains and for the creation of new job opportunities
Supply chain assessments, gap analyses and joint intervention plans
Compilation of facts and figures on existing and potential resources and value chains
Guidance on national requirements for ABS compliance and permitting procedures
Facilitation partnerships on technology transfer to increase local value creation and create job opportunities

German development cooperation is visible as close partner:

Roundtables with German companies and BMZ
Events on African-European private sector cooperation
Public relations material
International events for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits

A “Community of Practice” has been established for the institutional partners of the four BioInnovation Africa countries through a virtual exchange platform. These Technical Exchange Sessions are regularly conducted with a view to discuss and advance project-relevant topics and ensure continuous exchange between stakeholders of the BIA countries.

Partnership agreements or MoU have been signed with following organizations/companies and resources, respectively:

Cameroon:

The Body Shop, Weleda, Tropical Forest Products and Guide d’Espoir - value chain support
Firmenich - R&D
V Mane Fils - R&D and value chain set up

Madagascar:

Behave, Aroma Forest - value chain set up/support
Floribis, V. Mane Fils - value chain set up/support
L’Oréal - value chain support
Seppic / SERDEX - sector approach and market access

Namibia:

Blue Sky Botanics, Namibia Nature Foundation, KAZA Natural Oils – R&D and market access
The Body Shop, Aldivia, Gustav Heess Group and Eudafano Women’s Cooperative (EWC) – value chain support
CRIAA SA-DC – R&D and market access
Kambaku Energy GmbH, SEED Namibia – value chain support
Naturex, NANCi and National Devil’s Claw Export Association Trust (NDCEAT) – standards and market access
Regenerative Essences, IRDNC / Kunene Trust – R&D
V. Mane Fils, IRDNC / Kunene Trust and Parceval - R&D

South Africa:

Dicot Parceval – R&D
Kambaku Energy GmbH, Greater Sekhukhune Region Secondary Co-operative (GSRC) – value chain support
International Fragrance Association (IFRA) / International Organization of the Flavor Industry (IOFI), South African Association of the Flavour & Fragrance Industry (SAAFFI), Parceval – sector approach and market access
Martin Bauer Group, South African Rooibos Council (SARC), UEBT – standards and market access
V. Mane Fils, Parceval, Southern African Essential Oil Producers’ Association (SAEOPA) – R&D
V. Mane Fils, Parceval, Honeybush Community of Practice – R&D and value chain set up
Symrise, HERBS-APLENTY - value chain set up
Symrise, Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Region (non-profit) and The Western Cape Nature Conservation Board -R&D, ABS Compliance