H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, UAE Minister of Environment and Water, said joining the three protocols is part of UAE Vision 2021’s goal of vigorously supporting international initiatives to protect the environment. They also boost MoEW’s 2014-2016 strategy aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and proper ecosystem management and protection.

 H.E. Bin Fahad said the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety aims to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology which is the use of modern technology to alter the genetic material of organisms. It particularly focuses on the trans-boundary movement of LMOs to prevent adverse effects on biological diversity and human health. The Nagoya – Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, on the other hand, aims to promote the conservation of biological diversity and its sustainable use. It addresses human health risks by establishing international rules and procedures on liability and redress covering LMOs.

 Finally, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization highlights the benefits of utilizing genetic resources in a fair and equitable way as a means to contribute to the conservation of biological diversity and its sustainable use. To ensure fair and equitable sharing of generic resources, the protocol outlines appropriate access to genetic resources and proper transfer of relevant technologies.  

 H.E. Bin Fahad added that the ministry will cooperate and coordinate with its key partners in the coming months to come up with necessary plans in order to effectively implement the three protocols. The efforts mainly include establishing relevant laws and regulations, launching awareness and capacity building  programs, and recommending institutional mechanisms.

 It is worth mentioning that the UAE ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2000 and three mentioned protocols represent all protocols adopted so far under the Convention.