EZULWINI – Eswatini has begun compiling its Fifth National Report under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and its First National Report under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing following the opening of an inception workshop held on Thursday at the SibaneSami Hotel.
The process is being coordinated by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs and brings together government departments, technical institutions, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector. The reports will detail how the country manages living modified organisms and regulates access to genetic resources in line with international agreements.
The Fifth National Report focuses on the Cartagena Protocol which guides the safe handling transport and use of living modified organisms to safeguard biodiversity and human health. It follows the Fourth National Report that covered progress up to October 2019 and will capture developments and challenges from October 2019 until the submission deadline of February 28 2026.
At the same time Eswatini is preparing its First National Report under the Nagoya Protocol covering an eight year period from November 2017. The report outlines national measures governing access to genetic resources and how benefits arising from their use are shared particularly in research and commercial activities.
Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Hlobsile Dlamini officially opened the workshop and said the reporting exercise is taking place alongside the preparation of the Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. She said working on the reports concurrently allows institutions to share data and strengthen coordination across biodiversity related frameworks.
Dlamini said the reports will record progress identify gaps and document capacity needs in implementing biosafety and access and benefit sharing frameworks. She called on stakeholders to provide accurate and current information to ensure the reports reflect the country’s present situation.
Eswatini Environment Authority Executive Director Isaac Dladla said biodiversity remains central to livelihoods culture and traditional practices including the use of plants for medicine. He said documenting access to genetic resources and the distribution of benefits is important to prevent unfair use and ensure communities receive appropriate returns.
Participants were told the reporting process requires input from multiple sectors. Technical discussions at the workshop focused on data collection allocation of responsibilities and aligning reporting timelines.
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