New Delhi, March 31 (NationPress) India has taken the lead on the global stage by issuing the highest number of Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), representing over 56 percent of all certificates distributed worldwide, as announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

As per the latest statistics from the ABS Clearing-House, India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a total of 6,311 globally, positioning it well ahead of other nations in the execution of the protocol.

Among the 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House, which acts as a global platform to enhance transparency and accountability, only 34 countries have successfully issued IRCCs thus far.

France follows India with 964 certificates, while Spain, Argentina, Panama, and Kenya have issued 320, 257, 156, and 144 certificates respectively.

The Ministry highlighted that this achievement underscores India’s dedication to ensuring fair and transparent utilization of biological resources and traditional knowledge.

“Under the Nagoya Protocol, nations that provide access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are mandated to issue IRCCs. These certificates act as formal proof that Prior Informed Consent has been acquired and that Mutually Agreed Terms have been established between the resource users and providers. The relevant information is subsequently uploaded to the ABS Clearing-House,” stated the Ministry.

IRCCs are vital for monitoring the use of genetic resources, which spans from research and innovation to commercial applications, ensuring that benefits derived from their use are shared equitably with the provider nation.

The Ministry indicated that India's leading role signifies the effective execution of its ABS framework under the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.

This framework is enforced by the National Biodiversity Authority at the national level, in conjunction with State Biodiversity Boards, Union Territory Biodiversity Councils, and local Biodiversity Management Committees.

“Streamlined processes and robust institutional frameworks have facilitated the prompt processing of applications while ensuring adherence to international obligations,” the statement continued.

The Ministry emphasized that this accomplishment illustrates India’s proactive stance in global biodiversity governance and its ongoing efforts to encourage fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of biological resources.

“This also aligns with international objectives concerning biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization, further solidifying India’s role as a significant participant in executing global environmental agreements,” the Ministry concluded.