Global Status of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) of Animal Genetic Resources

Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) was formalized through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, providing an institutional framework that contributes to biodiversity conservation by allowing each country to exercise sovereignty over its biological resources and equitably share the benefits arising from their utilization. Subsequently, the Nagoya Protocol strengthened the legal binding nature of access to genetic resources; however, discussions on ABS in the field of animal genetic resources (AnGR) remain relatively insufficient compared to those on plants and microorganisms. This study therefore compares and analyzes the current ABS frameworks for animal genetic resources across major countries, highlighting the effectiveness of these systems and drawing policy implications. In conclusion, while countries have established diverse ABS frameworks tailored to their legal and institutional contexts, international cooperation mechanisms specifically focused on animal genetic resources remain limited. Accordingly, the establishment of a global governance framework is needed in the future, focusing on harmonization of national systems, clarification of the inclusion of digital information, and strengthening the practical enforcement of benefit-sharing.