18/06/2026
Building Capacity to Advance Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in Lesotho
What does it take to ensure that Lesotho's rich biodiversity benefits both people and nature?
This week, the Chief Technical Consultant for the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Project is leading a two-day training aimed at strengthening the knowledge and skills of key actors responsible for advancing the ABS agenda in Lesotho.
Bringing together the Project Management Unit, National Focal Point, District Coordinators, District Environment Officers, and Park Managers, the training is equipping participants with the tools needed to effectively implement the project and support the sustainable use of the country's genetic resources.
Participants are exploring:
✅ The principles of Access and Benefit Sharing and the Nagoya Protocol, and their importance for Lesotho's bioeconomy and biodiversity sovereignty.
✅ National ABS systems, institutional roles, and regulatory processes, including Prior Informed Consent (PIC) and Mutually Agreed Terms (MAT).
✅ Practical applications of ABS in bioprospecting and value chain development, including discussions around the planned national genetic resources laboratory.
✅ Project management tools for effective implementation, monitoring, and reporting.
✅ Cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge management.
The training will conclude with the development of an operational roadmap that identifies priority actions, quick wins, and clear institutional responsibilities for the next six months, laying a strong foundation for the successful implementation of the ABS Project.
By investing in capacity development today, Lesotho is taking important steps toward ensuring that the benefits derived from its biodiversity are shared fairly and equitably, while supporting conservation, innovation, and sustainable development.
Ministry of Environment and Forestry GEF Small Grants Programme
