Advance ABS Implementation in Cambodia Project

The Advancing ABS Implementation in Cambodia Project is a 30 months project funded by the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) with the total GEF Trust Fund Grant of USD 1,182,877 which is implementing by the Ministry of Environment. The project will first establish a strong national and sub-national enabling Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) framework and system to protect Traditional Knowledge (TK) on genetic resources, while making it accessible to scientists and bioprospectors in accordance with robust agreements that protect the rights and interests of all concerned parties. The second will be a capacity building program to raise awareness and increase understanding about the status quo of existing mechanisms under customary rights law that can provide access to genetic resources, while also putting in place the necessary regimes and protocols for permitting for research and commercialization of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) and TKs. The third will conduct outreach to raise awareness on ABS implementation and support the practical demonstration in two provinces (covering up to 10 species), on how ABS can be applied to the use of IKSPs and TKs in developing commercially viable products from genetic resources in sustainable and environmentally sound ways. This project will also establish collaboration with academic institutions and non-governmental organizations to incorporate ABS topics into outreach initiatives, as well as facilitate knowledge exchange and networking at the regional and global level.