Comments included:

• the vision is long as it has to encapsulate many issues;
• although the vision suggests that biological resources are closely linked to the communities, this is seldom the case in Africa;
• it is more of a dream, or an illusion because it is to far away; and
• Participants agreed that there is a long way to go. 

Comments included:

• Training and the sensitization of policy makers is needed in Africa
• A gap exists between the East & South and the West of Africa.  West Africa does not have capacity at the national level and the road map must acknowledge this;
• Africa should not be a “reservoir or genetic resources.”
• The involvement of local community and local companies is vital to any ABS agreement;
• How does Africa best use its human capacity?  Are there people that are being trained, being used to the maximum benefit of their countries, or are political appointments marring the capacity building work; and
• It is critical that capacity is given at all levels – including local communities to aid implementation.

Comments from participants centred on the marketing approach and SWAT analysis.  Joel Celestine Mamboundou followed up by making the following points:

• COMIFAC is a new sub-regional institution;
• COMIFAC has prioritized a number of environmental initiatives including ABS;
• COMIFAC has yet to define the guidelines for implementing access regulations at the national level;
• Most COMIFAC countries do not have ABS legislation.
• The lead taken by COMIFAC aims to assist countries in establishing ABS frameworks, according to their national priorities.

Compilation of the comments by each region:

GROUP 1: AU

Strategic Objectives:

• Contact and involve AU NEPAD in ABS Initiative;
• COMIFAC omitted scientific research to improve genetic resources and it should be added to the strategic plan; and
• Link ABS to poverty alleviation.

Specific Objectives

• Coordinate ABS management at appropriate levels;
• Proactively develop income opportunities for genetic resources and TK;
• Review the AU model law and update as needed;
• Finance scientific research, technology transfer in generic resources; and
• Review gaps in implementing the model law.

GROUP 2: AU

The second AU group suggested that the COMIFAC strategic and specific objectives are relevant to the AU, but should be modified to reflect the following points:

• Elaborate African regional guidelines in a way to develop, strengthen and implement the institutional, legal and operationalization mechanisms regarding ABS for genetic resources in each country;
• Strengthen capacity building for stakeholders at national level for the ABS process implementation;
• Promote and protect genetic resources and associated TK;
• Improve knowledge on bioprospecting and biopiracy in Africa for the benefit of African people;
• Put in place a financial mechanism for ABS processes in the region; and
• Establish a strategic partnership within Africa and outside.

GROUP 3: SADC

The SADC group suggested:
Strategic objectives:

• Harmonize of policies;
• Identify and strengthen pool of experts;
• Turn regional strategy to regional policy;
• Collaborate amongst stakeholders;
• Transboundary issues and bioprospecting issues; and
• Creation of an enabling environment.

Special objectives:

• Strengthen capacity building;
• Capacity building for local communities;
• Harmonize of policies and guidelines;
• Capacity building for local communities;
• Facilitate dialogue and engagement on ABS amongst stakeholders;
• Monitoring mechanisms;
• Sustainable funding mechanisms;
• Awareness of biopiracy and bioprospecting issues; and
• Value TK.

GROUP 4: EAC

Group 4 stated that COMIFAC’s strategic objectives are relevant, adding that the EAC faces similar challenges but that the 3-5  year time frame is too long.

Under specific objectives, they suggested:

• There is a need for an ABS sector committee of EAC;
• More work needs to be undertaken to promote knowledge on biopiracy;
• Create regional enforcement laws on biopiracy; and
• ABS should be self sustaining.

GROUP 5: EAC

• Under strategic objectives they suggested the following modifications:
• From 2008-2015 in order to meet MDG obligations;
• Develop and implement legal, institutional and technical aspects of the ABS process; and
• Facilitate the harmonization of national and sub-regional policies and strategies on ABS.

Under specific objectives they listed:

• Promote knowledge management on ABS;
• Compile case studies on biopiracy with a view to developing mechanisms for its prevention;
• Develop CEPA (communication, education, and public awareness) programmes on ABS issues; and
• Develop mechanisms for sustainable financing of the ABS process

Open discussion

In the brief discussion that followed, a number of points were made:

• It is important not to over emphasise the regional issues, instead focusing on developing clear national policies;
• Concern that the different levels will not adequately engage each other;
• COMIFAC plan has a market focus and this is its genius;
• ABS is about using the market to drive the system including generating benefits; and
• There is a need to strengthen the pool of experts, perhaps creating an African specific group.