The Access Benefit Sharing is a vital project for Fiji - Katonitabua

The Access Benefit Sharing is a vital project for Fiji as it strives to look for possible outcomes and resolutions for the betterment of its people. 

This was highlighted by the Permanent Secretary for iTaukei Affairs Naipote Katonitabua whilst launching the Access Benefit Sharing database.

The Access Benefit Sharing Project is aimed at discovering nature‑based products and building national capacities that facilitate technology transfer on mutually agreed terms, private sector engagement, and investments in the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.

He says that the Access Benefit Sharing project is able to develop methods and mechanisms that would help protect local communities.

Katonitabua says that people are aware, the environment, especially climate change has been at the forefront of the international community for the past several years and it continues to because of the threat to environment and to our existence.

He adds that the project can also influence the protection, of our traditional knowledge and its expression of culture, inclusive of music, medicine, dance, food and delicacies and so on.

The Permanent Secretary encouraged all natural resource owners to take interest in this process to better understand its importance, for themselves and also for future generations.

Also present at the launch was the PS for Local Government, Housing & Environment, Joshua Wycliffe, UNDP Executive, Dr.Winifereti Nainoca, senior officers from Ministries, NGOs and iTaukei resource owners.