This policy report seeks to give an overview of the current state of biodiversity and relevant law, and policy in Central Asia and Mongolia. It elaborates the international and national legal basis for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilization, as well as for the protection of traditional knowledge.

The policy report further analyzes the capacity building needs in the region in these aforementioned areas. The most prominent capacity development needs of the region, include the following: 

• Strengthen the weak legislative base;
• Building political support and allocation of funding for environmental concerns such as biodiversity conservation;
• Overcome the lack of adequate information and limited access to information;
• Build appropriate scientific and technical expertise with regard to the establishment of ABS and biosafety frameworks;
• The need for increased public education and awareness;
• Build capacity for participation in international negotiations.

Background

The countries of Central Asia (Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan) and Mongolia are an extremely rich and important repository of biodiversity, including many endemic species adapted to harsh, fragile, and frequently extreme environments, such as deserts, high altitude mountains and permafrost areas. They share a history as centres of origin for many domesticated plant species, such as apricots and walnuts, and are an important source of genetic material, especially for agro-biodiversity. Although large parts of these countries' populations' survive on an average income of less than two US dollars a day, they have a highly educated and extensive base of sound scientific capacity and knowledge of their national environments. These conditions offer interesting potential for bioprospecting activities. However, despite this capacity little international support has been given, which is particularly critical in light of the big economic, environmental and also international security challenges faced by the region.

Central Asia and Mongolia Bioresources and Biosecurity Network

Together with the countries of the region, UNU-IAS has embarked upon a capacity development programme. To date, two regional workshops have been held. The workshops led to the establishment of a Central Asia and Mongolia Bioresources and Biosecurity Network with the principal aim of assisting Central Asian countries and Mongolia to conserve and sustainably use their biological diversity through the exchange of: scientific, technical, environmental, and legal information, case studies, best practices, and experiences on issues relating to biodiversity, biosafety, biosecurity, and bioresources. The network's interim secretariat is located in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic and operates with the support of an international advisory council and UNU-IAS. The UNU-IAS has established a bilingual English Russian website for the network, which will be launched soon. Several other workshops are planned within the network. The next workshop for legal experts from government and NGOs on the establishment of ABS frameworks will take place in Kazakhstan and another one is planned to be held on ABS, information dissemination and public participation in Uzbekistan in September.