ABS capacity development workshop in Bhutan

Left to right:
 Dr. Tashi Yangzome (Director, National Biodiversity Center),
Morten Tvedt (Fridtjof Nansen Institute),
Dr. Pema Gyamtsho (Minister for Agriculture and Forests),
 Dr. Kabir Bavikatte (Natural Justice),
 Mani Prasad Nirola (Scientist, National Biodiversity Center).
Courtesy of Kabir

Kabir Bavikatte from Natural Justice and Morten Tvedt from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute facilitated an ABS capacity development workshop in Bhutan from the 12th-14th of March 2013. The workshop was hosted by the National Biodiversity Centre and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests with the aim of developing Bhutan's national ABS capacity.

The workshop was attended by representatives of the various ministries and departments in Bhutan and covered a number of issues ranging from intellectual property to community protocols. Previously Kabir and Morten have assisted Bhutan in developing their national ABS policy and the current workshop sought to provide the context to this policy by focusing on issues of access to genetic resources, benefit sharing and community rights.

Kabir and Morten and their respective organizations were formally thanked by Bhutan's Minister for Agriculture and Forests, Dr. Pema Gyamtsho for their services rendered to Bhutan and its people.