Perspective of Countries of Origin Same risks and perceptions but different approaches? Monica Ribadeneira Sarmiento Bonn, November

Andean Region started on May 1969 Chile left on 1976 ABS Andean Decision established on 1996 Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia Chile used to have an observer status (associated member) until September 2006

First regional framework on ABS Defensive position from developing countries fear of misappropriation way to protect regional traditional knowledge lack of trust in bona fide from companies, researchers, cooperation projects Few national real cases of ABS agreements Lack of development of national instruments (only Bolivia, June 1997) Andean Decision 391, History

Free trade agreement with USA stated to be negotiated on May 2004 Ecuador left the process Colombia signed on February 2006 Venezuela left the Andean Group on April 2006 Peru signed on December 2007 Andean Framework on intellectual property rights changed on August 2008 (new Decision 689, old Decision 486) Andean Decision 391, now

Is the ABS Andean Decision going to change? Have the perceptions about genetic resources issues changed? What could be the future scenarios of negotiations on genetic resources in the region? What could be the conditions for talking about “non commercial benefits” in the region? Andean Decision 391, future ??

Thank you