Director of National Parks
Biodiscovery - Sharing the benefits
19 November 2012
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Biodiscovery experts from around the world are converging on the Eskitis Institute in Brisbane for the Oceania Biodiscovery Forum (19 to 23 November).
This is the third in a series of national biodiscovery forums, designed to bring researchers, governments and industry together to discuss the management of biodiscovery in Australia and
beyond.
Director of National Parks, Peter Cochrane, is one of the Australian Government delegates. "There is a growing global market in the use of genetic and biochemical resources from plants,
animals and microbial life," Mr Cochrane said.
"We want to make sure countries benefit from the use of their genetic resources, while at the same time giving certainty to business development and ensuring research is carried out in a sustainable way.
"That's why Australia signed the Nagoya Protocol earlier this year. It's an international treaty that will establish a legally-binding framework for the use of genetic resources.
"During this forum we're going to be discussing how this international framework can operate in Australia, across Oceania and the world, looking at case studies and hearing from experts from Papua New Guinea, the European Union, Switzerland, the Cook Islands and Norway.
"We'll also be discussing a key part of the protocol - recognising the value of traditional knowledge and genetic resources held by Indigenous people, making sure they benefit from the use of their knowledge.
"This forum is an exciting opportunity for us to continue discussions on how to best implement the Nagoya Protocol in Australia, so we can engage in the business and benefits of biodiscovery with confidence."
The Oceania Biodiscovery Forum takes place from 19 to 23 November at the Eskitis Institute in Brisbane, which works towards the development of new strategies to prevent and treat disease.
The forum is organised by the Australian Government, the multi donor ABS Capacity Development Initiative and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, and hosted by the Eskitis Institute at Griffith University.
Media contact: Miranda Schooneveldt on 0428 630 910