India Leads Global IRCC Issuance Under Nagoya Protocol

India has become the global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing. As of March-April 2026, India issued about 3,556 to 3,561 certificates out of a global total of 6,311 certificates recorded on the ABS Clearing-House.

Nagoya Protocol and ABS Framework

The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, adopted in 2010 and linked to access to genetic resources and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. The ABS Clearing-House is an international platform that records access and benefit-sharing information from registered countries.

Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance

Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance, or IRCCs, are official documents issued under the Nagoya Protocol. These certificates serve as evidence that Prior Informed Consent has been obtained and Mutually Agreed Terms have been established between users and providers of genetic resources.

India’s Institutional Framework

India’s biodiversity governance framework includes the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the National Biodiversity Authority at the central level, State Biodiversity Boards, and local Biodiversity Management Committees. India has more than 276,653 Biodiversity Management Committees under this framework.

Reporting and Benefit-sharing Data

India submitted its first National Report on the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on 27 February 2026. The report covered the period from 1 November 2017 to 31 December 2025 and recorded 12,830 ABS approvals during that period.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Nagoya Protocol is linked to the Convention on Biological Diversity and deals with access and benefit-sharing.
• The ABS Clearing-House is used for transparency in biodiversity-related access and benefit-sharing information.
• France, Spain, Argentina, Panama, and Kenya are among the countries that have issued IRCCs under the Nagoya Protocol.
• IRCCs are connected with Prior Informed Consent and Mutually Agreed Terms in genetic resource use.

Benefit-sharing Provisions

During the 2017-2025 reporting period, India generated about Rs 263 crore through ABS approvals and disbursed about Rs 145 crore to beneficiaries. The benefits included monetary payments, capacity building, and technology transfer.