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Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure
(MSR)
last updated: 30 Dec 2025
NATIONAL STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN 2025-2030 ON ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES AND THE FAIR AND EQUITABLE SHARING OF BENEFITS ARISING FROM THEIR UTILIZATION (ABS)
This document presents the second version of Cameroon’s National Strategy and Action Plan on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits (ABS). It builds on the country’s initial ABS Strategy adopted in 2012, which was accompanied by an action plan for 2016–2019. The first strategy aimed to ensure regulated access to genetic resources and equitable benefit-sharing by 2020, thereby improving livelihoods and increasing state revenues. Its implementation led to significant achievements, including the promulgation of the 2021 ABS Law and the adoption of its implementing decree in 2023, establishing a solid legal and regulatory framework for effective governance of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
The new strategy responds to emerging challenges at both national and international levels. Globally, it aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, particularly Objective C and Target 13, by addressing digital sequence information (DSI), the establishment of a multilateral benefit-sharing mechanism, the creation of the Cali Fund, and the valorization of traditional knowledge. Nationally, it is consistent with Cameroon’s Vision 2030 National Development Strategy (SND30), which serves as the overarching framework for all development actions.
The document was developed through a participatory approach, involving broad stakeholder consultations during the evaluation of the previous strategy and throughout the validation process. Its orientations aim to consolidate past achievements, ensure effective implementation of the new ABS legal framework, and strengthen coherence with the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
The scope of the strategy extends to government authorities, local communities, researchers, private sector actors, and civil society organizations. It seeks to enhance governance, promote fair benefit-sharing, and safeguard biodiversity while ensuring that national policies are aligned with global commitments. Ultimately, the strategy provides Cameroon with a comprehensive roadmap to regulate access to genetic resources, protect traditional knowledge, and maximize benefits for both the State and local communities.
National / Federal
Not legally binding
01 Jan 2025
01 Jan 2030
Policy/Strategy/Action plan
No
EN
Competent National Authority:Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development, Dr. DINGOM Aurélie Taylor Patience PhD, Animal Physiology/Pharmacology Teacher, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Inspector N°2, ABS National Focal Point, Traditional Knowledge National Focal Point ()Ministerial Building N°2, 20th May Boulevard P.O. Box 320 YaoundeYaounde, Centre
237, CameroonPhone: +237222236037, +237699738842, +237675635537,Fax: +237222236037,Website: https://www.abs-cameroon.cm,
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ABSCH-MSR-CM-256334-2 Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure LAW N°2021/014 of july 2021 TO GOVERN ACCESS TO GENETIC RESOURCES, THEIR DERIVATIVES, TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE ASSOCIATED WITH GENETIC RESOURCE AND THEIR FAIR EQUITABLE SHARING OF THE BENEFIT ARISING FROM THEIR UTILIZATIONThis law governs access to genetic resources, their derivatives, associated, traditional knowledge and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from their utilization.
The purpose of this law shall be to:- Support the valorization of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge to promote their conservation and sustainable use;- Regulate access to genetic resources, their derivatives and/or associated traditional knowledge;- Ensure the involvement of indigenous and local communities in sharing the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge;- Promote and encourage the use of research findings as well as the documentation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge;- Contribute to improving the living conditions of indigenous and local communities;- Improve the contribution of biodiversity to human development and well-being;- Discover and make available genetic information. -
ABSCH-MSR-CM-267051-1 Legislative, Administrative or Policy Measure DECREE N°2023/07526/PM OF 06 OCTOBER 2023 TO LAY DOWN THE CONDITIONS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF ABS LAWThis decree sets out the terms of application of Law No. 2021/014 of July 9, 2021 regulating access to genetic resources, their derivatives, associated traditional knowledge and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use. As such, it addresses questions relating to procedures and, in general, to the organization of the national system of access to genetic resources, their derivatives and/or associated traditional knowledge and sharing of and related benefits.
The text also specifies the provisions of the aforementioned ABS law, including key concepts of the Nagoya Protocol such as Prior Informed Consent (CPCC), Mutually Agreed Conditions (CCCA) and Permit APA. It also sets out the administrative procedures to follow to obtain the legal titles prescribed by the APA law.
In this perspective, the text establishes a specific regime for local research. The latter benefits from a simplified procedure with the aim of promoting its development and the valorization of the resulting results, on a national scale. The specific regime also applies to access to genetic resources, their derivatives and/or associated traditional knowledge in emergency situations.
Still in the logic of easier implementation of the ABS law, the ABS declaration and permit regimes, the benefit sharing modalities, the monitoring mechanisms serve to put in place the necessary tools to enable the Competent National Authority to effectively manage activities related to all forms of use of genetic resources, their derivatives and/or associated traditional knowledge. As for the sharing of benefits which is the purpose of the access procedure, it is assisted by tax advantages, monetary and non-monetary advantages. Fiscal benefits accrue to the State while monetary and non-monetary benefits accrue to indigenous populations and local communities.
This document is closely connected to Cameroon’s national legal and policy framework on Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). It implements the provisions of the 2021 Law regulating access to genetic resources, their derivatives, and associated traditional knowledge, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization, as well as its Implementing Decree of 2023.
The Strategy and Action Plan serve as the operational framework for applying this legislation, ensuring coherence with the revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
In addition, the document is directly linked to the national guidelines for fair and equitable benefit-sharing in support of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and restoration in Cameroon. These guidelines provide practical and ethical principles that complement the ABS Strategy, ensuring that benefits derived from the use of genetic resources and traditional knowledge contribute to the well-being of local communities and the sustainability of ecosystems.
Thus, the second ABS Strategy consolidates legislative achievements, translates policy orientations into concrete measures, and connects national ABS governance with international commitments, while relying on national guidelines to guarantee equitable benefit-sharing and biodiversity conservation.
The elements of the measure are not applicable for this measure.
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