𝐁𝐡𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐲𝐚 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞

…𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚’𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒇𝒊𝒕-𝒔𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒃𝒊𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒐𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

By Kezang Choden

Bhutan has officially published and submitted its First National Report on the Implementation of the Nagoya Protocol to the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing House under the Convention on Biological Diversity. The submission was made by the National Biodiversity Centre in its role as the national focal point for the Nagoya Protocol.
With the official deadline for submission set for February 28, 2026 by the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat, Bhutan has become the second country in the Asia Pacific region to submit its report within the stipulated timeframe, following Mongolia. The timely submission reflects the country’s commitment to implementing biodiversity related agreements and meeting its international obligations.

The submission of the national report on access and benefit sharing is an international requirement and also a demonstration of accountability to multilateral environmental agreements. Timely reporting provides an opportunity to present progress made in developing national legislation, institutional arrangements, compliance mechanisms, and capacity building initiatives related to access and benefit sharing.

At the global level, national reports contribute to a clearer understanding of how effectively the Nagoya Protocol is being implemented. Information provided by Parties supports evidence based decision making and helps identify areas that require further attention. The reporting process also strengthens national coordination by bringing together government agencies, research institutions, and other stakeholders to jointly assess achievements and remaining challenges. This approach supports good governance and the mobilization of resources to further improve national access and benefit sharing systems.

Bhutan’s report was prepared through consultations at both regional and national levels. This included engagement with the Technical Working Group, representatives from relevant government agencies, research institutions, and other stakeholders. The final document was approved after incorporating comments and feedback from these consultations, ensuring that it reflects the country’s progress, achievements, and challenges in implementing the Nagoya Protocol and the national access and benefit sharing framework.

The Nagoya Protocol focuses on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization. It promotes biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and fairness in the use of genetic resources. Bhutan’s report highlights milestones including the development of national legislative and institutional frameworks, awareness raising initiatives, strengthened inter agency coordination, and the facilitation of access agreements in line with national laws.

Neuli Tshering, Gup of Tsangkha Gewog under Dagana Dzongkhag, said effective implementation of access and benefit sharing must begin at the grassroots level, where communities directly interact with natural resources.
Speaking on Bhutan’s submission of its First National Report on the Nagoya Protocol, he said international agreements can only be meaningful when people at the local level understand their purpose and benefits.
“Policies made at the national or international level will not work unless they reach villages and households,” said Tshering. “Our communities are the real custodians of forests, land, and traditional knowledge. If they are not informed and involved, implementation will remain weak.”

He said the Nagoya Protocol is especially important for rural communities that depend on biodiversity for their livelihoods. According to him, fair sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources encourages people to protect nature rather than exploit it.
“When communities see that their knowledge and resources are respected, they feel responsible for conservation,” he said. “This creates trust and long term commitment.”

Tshering noted that while awareness on access and benefit sharing is gradually improving, more effort is needed at the gewog level. He pointed out that many people still do not fully understand their rights and responsibilities.
He said, “Clear information in simple language is necessary. Local leaders need training so that we can guide communities properly and ensure their interests are protected.”

He added that Gups play an important role in connecting national institutions with local communities. This includes supporting consultations, assisting with consent processes, and ensuring that community concerns are heard.
Calling for continued support from national agencies, Tshering said empowering local governments would strengthen implementation across the country.

“Conservation starts from the ground. If communities are strong and informed, national commitments will naturally become successful,” he added.
He expressed hope that future initiatives related to access and benefit sharing would continue to prioritize community participation and local leadership, ensuring that conservation efforts benefit both people and nature.
Preparation of the report was a collaborative effort coordinated by the national focal point for the Nagoya Protocol in partnership with sectoral agencies and development partners. The report presents an overview of progress achieved, identifies gaps in awareness and technical capacity, highlights challenges in monitoring and evaluation, and outlines strategic directions for improving national implementation of access and benefit sharing.

The submission of Bhutan’s national report to the Access and Benefit Sharing Clearing House reflects the country’s continued efforts to ensure that benefits arising from the use of genetic resources are shared in a fair and equitable manner in line with national priorities and international commitments.