MOSAICS - Development of a System for Appropriate Management of Access and Transfer of Microbial Resources - Micro-Organisms Sustainable Use and Access Regulation Integrated Conveyance System

Critical issues in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) provisions on access and benefit sharing (ABS) have been enlightened by the MOSAICC project. First, it is difficult to assess the economic value of microbial resources (MR). Reliable tools for economic valuation of MR can ease benefit sharing processes and settlement of balanced deals. Secondly, the translation of international rules on ABS at national level induce the multiplication of diverging systems and impede subs equently access and use of MR. A minimum level of harmonisation is necessary. Thirdly, an operational system addressing the issue of ABS must be widely used by a majority of stakeholders to be effective. Advocacy of such a system derived from MOSAICC coul d foster its implementation by a large number of stakeholders.

<P>MOSAICS addresses these issues through three activities with specific object <OL> <LI> EVa- Economic Valuation. The development of reliable ways to value MR. Expected results are validated reliable methods necessary to put sound economic values on MR and enable relevant dialogue on benefit sharing. <LI> ADaM - Access & Distribution Management. The development of standard documents and procedures for access, transfer and, by consequence, tracking of MR. Expected result is a system to handle information on MR origin and transfer <LI> ICS - Integrated Conveyance System. The further endorsement of MOSAICC and the derived Integrated Conveyance System.

</ol>

Expected result is to have MOSAICS largely used to facilitate ABS MOSAICS is a bottom up action complementary to the top down process of the Working Group on ABS of the CBD. It faces the same issues as other parallel initiatives such as the OECD Biological Resources Centres (BRC) Task Force and the Global Biological Information Facility (GBIF). MOSAICS partners are also participating to these initiatives and processes, they will seek synergies, exchange information, and look for mutual reinforceme