Biological Prospecting in Antarctica
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 7 (2005) on Biological Prospecting in Antarctica and Resolution 9 (2009) on Collection and Use of Antarctic Biological Material;
Convinced of the benefits for the progress of humankind of scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Reaffirming in this regard Article III(1)(c) of the Antarctic Treaty, which provides that, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available;
Noting that biological prospecting continues to occur in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Noting the lack of a working definition of biological prospecting in the Antarctic context;
Noting also ongoing discussions in other international fora on biological prospecting and genetic resources;
Noting also the need for further research and analysis to be undertaken related to the status and trends of biological prospecting in the Antarctic Treaty area and the wish that results be presented at future Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings:
Reaffirm that the Antarctic Treaty System is the appropriate framework for managing the collection of biological material in the Antarctic Treaty area and for considering its use;
Recommend that their governments report, as appropriate, on biological prospecting carried out under their respective legal regimes, with a view to facilitating a better understanding and assessment of these types of activities; and
Encourage their governments to examine ways to improve information exchange in this regard and to consider whether to adapt the Electronic Information Exchange System for this purpose.
The Representatives,
Recalling Resolution 7 (2005) on Biological Prospecting in Antarctica and Resolution 9 (2009) on Collection and Use of Antarctic Biological Material;
Convinced of the benefits for the progress of humankind of scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Reaffirming in this regard Article III(1)(c) of the Antarctic Treaty, which provides that, to the greatest extent feasible and practicable, scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available;
Noting that biological prospecting continues to occur in the Antarctic Treaty area;
Noting the lack of a working definition of biological prospecting in the Antarctic context;
Noting also ongoing discussions in other international fora on biological prospecting and genetic resources;
Noting also the need for further research and analysis to be undertaken related to the status and trends of biological prospecting in the Antarctic Treaty area and the wish that results be presented at future Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings:
Reaffirm that the Antarctic Treaty System is the appropriate framework for managing the collection of biological material in the Antarctic Treaty area and for considering its use;
Recommend that their governments report, as appropriate, on biological prospecting carried out under their respective legal regimes, with a view to facilitating a better understanding and assessment of these types of activities; and
Encourage their governments to examine ways to improve information exchange in this regard and to consider whether to adapt the Electronic Information Exchange System for this purpose.
