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This record has been deleted. Since it is linked to a published record, it is available here for reference purposes only.
To view the current National Focal Point information, click
here.
No
Yes
Some degree of legislative action have been taken, but this requires review and final enactment by the Sierra Leone Parliament
Yes
The National Focal Point is Mr Joseph S Turay of the Environment Protection Agency Sierra Leone.
Yes
The Environmental Protection Agency, Sierra Leone (EPASL) is the designated competent national authority. The EPASL works in collaboration with other national authorities such as the National Protected Areas Authority and Ministry of Agriculture (Forestry Division) in programmes releating to the conservation of genetic diversity and the Nagoya Protocol.
No selection made
No
Not applicable, since no access requirements are in place
No
Yes
At least two check points have been established to control the exploitation of genetic resources, particularly timber.
No additional information provided
The 1972 Wildlife Conservation Act and the 1988 Forestry Act have been reviewed and do have some elements of ABS in them. So is the drafted Wetlands Lands Act of 2015. These legislation are yet to be enacted by Parliament and so there is still a window of opportunity to better incorporated ABS, PIC and MAT concept into them.
Yes
No, but some PIC is obtained in a few instances, but the process is hardly recorded and records are not kept as required by the protocol
But this is not always adhered to. Some degree of the PIC is obtained in few instances, but the process is hardly recorded and records are not kept as required by the protocol.
No
No
No
Yes
Permits are issued to timber logging but no PIC or MAT is effected
No answer provided
Yes
But hardly applied
Yes
Yes
Funds have been received to hold consultations required to develop the national interim report
Development of the national communications strategy
Review of policies and report
Detailed training on the operations of the Clearing House Mechanism
Funds are needed for the following activities:
Popularization of Nagoya Protocol
Implementation of the communication strategy developed
No additional information provided
There are actually some ad hoc mechanisms through which permits are issued domestically for access to genetic resources, and case-by-case benefit sharing systems, but these need serious review and proper implementation and monitoring, consistent with the requirement of the Nagoya Protocol.
Yes
Some actions that would lead to concrete legislative or policy measure have been initiated. A number of workshops have been held and are being planned at national and district levels.
Yes
However, there is need for thorough review and application of the processes involved, so that indigenous communities are well aware of these provisions and are taking the necessary steps to implement them
No
The necessary steps will be taken to ensure that the legislative, administrative or policy provisions are incorporated into the relevant acts or policy document.
No additional information provided
There is a serious short-fall in educational and awareness among various sectors that have to do with the conservation, exploitation and utilization of genetic resources, including policy makers, local traditional heads and business people.
Yes
Yes
Measures are not appropriate as a result of ineffectiveness of policy enforcement
With respect to PIC, MAT, the authorities (Local and National) sometimes take decisions on behalf of the community people without due consideration of these processes. Few individuals within families and communities take decisions without the consent and agreement of the majority of the people who own the resources.
No
Yes, but measures are not appropriate because of ineffectiveness of policy enforcement. With respect to PIC, MAT, the authorities (local and national) sometimes takes decisions on behalf the community people without without due consideration of these processes. Few individuals within families and communities take decisions without the consent and agreement of the majority of the people who own the resources.
No
No selection made
No selection made
This is because there has been no effective consultation and collaboration with the traditional authorities.
No
No selection made
Only permits are shown at check points. These permits are issued by the Forestry Division, which is the government agency responsible for the issuing permits to loggers.
No
Not selected
This action is required to be incorporated into the regulations relating to the implementation of the relevant acts and the operations of the implementing authority.
No
However, there are initial steps being taken to ensure that users and providers of genetic resources operate by these ABS rules, particularly with regards to information sharing and reporting.
Yes
However, the mechanisms being used need improvement in order to ensure effective information transfer and sharing.
No additional information provided
For compliance to domestic regulation to be effective among genetic resources provided and users, there is a serious need for sensitization and popularization of the provisions made in the ABS process. In additional concluding the final review process for the relevant legislation incorporating the ABS concept need not be overemphasized.
Not applicable, since no access requirements are in place
No
This will be part of the programme to implement the ABS process in the country
Yes
The opportunity to seek recourse has been available prior to the ABS process, but these have not been effective. With the introduction of the MAT necessitated by the implementation of the protocol, redress mechanism aring from disputes, are expected to improve.
Yes
There is provision for access to justice within national laws, but these are not in consonant with the ABS mechanism
No
No additional information provided
There is also provision within the jurisdiction of the ECOWAS Court, which hears cases relating to human right abuse and to which the ABS issues can be channeled. Sierra Leone is a signatory to the agreement that established the court.
Yes
Such provisions are made in the relevant legislation that address conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.
Yes
To a large extent, there is general consent, in instances of humanitarian needs, but these have not been documented.
Yes
This aspect of the ABS concept is captured in the draft Forestry and Wetlands Acts, both of which await ratification from the Sierra Leone Parlaiment
Yes
All conservation-related acts and the agricultural master plan for Sierra Leone identified genetic resources as a vital component for food security in the country.
No additional information provided
Biodiversity in general is a vital component of food resources in the Country. Most of the population depend on agriculture and the natural biological resources for their livelihoods. Therefore the importance of genetic diversity to food productivity, availability and security is a key consideration in government policies.
Yes
Yes
But the established right of local communities has been evaded in many instances. Effective awareness raising and sensitization is require to make it effective.
No
No
No
However, there are ad hoc local and traditional systems in place for PIC and MAT, which have little or no legal basis.
Yes
There are established principles and practices within traditional system that are recognized and strictly adhered to.
Yes
No selection made
Yes
Yes. The Local Act of 2004 takes into cognisance the importance of and adherence to community protocols.
No selection made
No selection made
Yes
There is virtually no perceived restriction on customary utilization and knowledge exchange of genetic resources, but the process involved need to be streamlined and regularized to ensure that it is consistent with the objective of the ABS process.
No selection made
No additional information provided.
Inconsistency in approaches and processes across the different regions and cultures in the country;
Lack of knowledge and understanding of the ABS protocol and how it related to traditional knowledge;
Weak willingness among owners of the knowledge to share with other people
Lack of interest among the young generation to acquire traditional knowledge from the older people, especially when it has to do with payment conditions attached in gaining the knowledge.
Yes
Yes, but not effectively implemented because;
Indigenous trees are not planted during reforestation
Indigenous communities need to be trained how to engage in domesticating genetic varieties with aim of preventing the depletion of the natural varieties
Users and exploiters do not normally participate in the ecological process
No answer provided
1. Raised awareness and sensitize indigenous communities on the importance of the protocol, particularly with regards to the implementation of the PIC and MAT requirements
2. Enhance the capacity of local communities to be involved in and drive the decision making process in ABS.
3. Enhanced control and sustainable use of genetic resources
4. Increased understanding of the importance of indigenous knowledge on genetic use and benefit sharing
No additional information provided.
1. There is need for more awareness and sensitization meetings with resource users at community, local and national levels
2. Community bye-laws do exist for the exploitation, use and sharing of the benefits from genetic resources, but these should be reviewed with the aim of incorporation PIC and MAT concepts.
3. Enforcement of the requirement of the ABS at local and national level is a key challenge, and so some workable mechanism involving key stakeholders, including is required to improve on the situation.
4. Capacity building is required on genetic resource management and monitoring as regards the implementation of the ABS concepts.
Yes
Indigenous and local communities do exists in Sierra Leone and they form the bulk of the population, particularly in the rural areas. Every province, district or even chiefdom defined by an indigenous tribe or sect, is characterized by a set of traditional, social and customary practices in relation to genetic resources, although there may be some extent of overlap across some of them. However, these practices and actions are yet to be aligned with the ABS protocol.
Not applicable, since there are no indigenous and local communities in my country
Yes
Yes. The indigenous people will be willing, especially where such knowledge exchange will enhance their capacities and be of benefit to them.
No additional information provided
Yes
In fact, the development of MAT was a key discussion point in the consultation workshops held so far on the protocol. This will be pursued further to ensure that the application PIC and MAT becomes the norm as far as the exploitation and utilization of genetic resources in concerned.
Yes
The process in now on-going.
No additional information provided
The development and implementation of codes of conduct, guidelines and best practices or standards was discussed in recent in-country meetings. This is a key focus of the Nagoya focal point as part of the proposed progarmme of action on the implementation of the protocol.
Already, there are legislation and local by-laws that have some of these provisions, but need to be reviewed in line with the standards within the Nagoya Protocol. Some initial consultations and awareness raising on the issue has already been initiated, but need to expanded.
Yes
Yes
Community and regional meetings held, brochures produced, radio and television talks held
A few consultations with local communities and government officials have been held and will continue to ensure that the relevant measures are achieved and sustained over time.
No
No
funds are not available to implement the developed communication strategy
No
No, except for the funding received for facilitating the interim national report, which has been used to some extent to raise awareness among some stakeholders about the protocol and the importance if PIC and MAT in implementing the protocol.
No
No additional information provided
Yes
No additional information provided
Seeking legislative approval was the key challenge, but the EPASL was able to overcome it, prior to ratifying the protocol.
Yes
Yes, but this is only limited to the annual budgetary allocations provided by government to run the affairs of the agency, some of which are used for the administration of the Nagoya Protocol in the country, but is grossly inadequate.
No
The EPA, through the focal point for the protocol is now embarking on the development of proposal for national-wide consultaions for the development of a national communication strategy for the protocol and to conduct education and awareness programmes on the ABS mechanisms
US$ 20,000 was provide by the CBD secretariat to facilitate the writing of the interim report
Yes
One
The local authorities and indigenous communities have very little or no knowledge about the Nagoya Protocol and how it should be implemented.
There is an urgent need to organize education and sensitization programmes in each of the 16 districts in Sierra Leone on the Nagoya protocol as a whole, so that local authorities and the people owning genetic resource become aware of its importance and opportunity it offers to them in the sustainable and beneficial use of biodiversity.
In addition to the one permanent staff who is also the focal point for the protocol, the agency recruits technical consultants to help implement the protocol, as and when necessary.
The reporting format is comprehensible and easy to complete.
