India Emerges Global Leader in Issuing IRCCs under Nagoya Protocol

Why in News

India has emerged as the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).

Key Highlights

India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of 6,311 globally, accounting for over 56% share.

Only 34 out of 142 countries registered on the ABS Clearing-House have issued IRCCs.

India is followed by:

France (964)

Spain

Argentina

Panama

Kenya

What are IRCCs?

IRCCs are official certificates issued under the Nagoya Protocol.

They confirm:

Prior Informed Consent (PIC) has been obtained

Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT) are established

They ensure:

Transparency

Legal access to genetic resources

Fair sharing of benefits

Nagoya Protocol – Key Facts

Adopted in 2010 at Nagoya (Japan)

Came into force in 2014

Supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Objective:

Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources

Promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable use

India’s Institutional Framework (ABS Mechanism)

India’s strong performance is due to effective implementation under:

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Three-tier structure:

National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)

State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs)

Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs)

Additional Facts:

Over 2.76 lakh BMCs established for grassroots participation

India issued the world’s first IRCC in 2015

Significance of India’s Achievement

Shows global leadership in biodiversity governance

Strengthens compliance and transparency mechanisms

Ensures benefit sharing with local communities

Supports traditional knowledge protection

Enhances India’s role in international environmental agreements