Following discussions at the 144th Executive Board, the Seventy-second World Health Assembly adopted decision WHA72(13) on "The public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol" (item 12.10 in the agenda).
The Nagoya Protocol is a multilateral treaty addressing access and benefit-sharing. For the countries that have become party, it governs the international sharing of genetic resources. Implementation of this treaty has implications for public health including, in particular, aspects of a timely response to infectious disease outbreaks.
WHO – in close collaboration with the Convention on Biological Diversity, Member States and other international organizations and stakeholders – is working to ensure that public health work advances in harmony with the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. This page contains information on WHO’s ongoing efforts in regard to the implementation of decision WHA72(13) on the public health implications of implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.