A vision is…. NOT a dream NOT a forecast NOT an objective.

A vision is…. precise and concrete as if it would be real sensual (hear, see, fee) attractive and motivaing holistic

A number of successful ABS cases have emerged and a common vision of ABS has been developed.

Agricultural ministries and stakeholders working in agriculture are involved in this ABS process.

Clarify community rights. Effective local level institions.

That the status or process of ABS is actually really working. That some of the most important stakeholders ie. communities are included and actually benefiting from the process. Legislation governing the process is implemented.

Many more people know their rights and are now able to protect their rights more effectively.

Countries now have firm legislation/regulatory frameworks that govern ABS. Communities are now aware of their rights and many of them are receiving sufficient, not substantial benefits under benefit sharing mechanisms. It is a start in the right direction and can only get better.

Improved access by indigenous people to the resources that rightfully belong to them.

There is now strong legislation in ABS. Existence of a regional protocol on ABS.

Successful awareness to stakeholders, policy makers on ABS.

It is great to see that with an increasing African voice in CBD negotiations we have now achieved a legally binding ABS protocol, which is acceptable for users and providers and with a strong governance element in Afican countries which has lead to increased poverty alleviation.

A number of successful ABS cases have emerged and a common vision of ABS has been developed.

Community benefitting from the sourrounding resources. Promotion of the ABS regulations. Transformation of the ABS sector.

Every African is informed about ABS. Poverty alleviation.

I am glad that the indigenous people have been included in the ABS process, because I feel that even though you are experts in biodiversity or access and benefit sharing you can not do anything without the indigenous people. They are the ones with the knowledge of nature and plants.

All African countries have their ABS regulations. ABS is implemented and monitored. Benefits raised from GR are used in poverty alleviation.

I would like to see all African countries having enacted national ABS legislations that are easy to implement (efficient and that reduce transaction costs).

Recognition and respect of local/indigenous communties. Harmonised laws on ABS at local, national, regional and international level.

The mechanisms to disburse tangible benefit from the commercial use of natural resources in Africa were non-existent or barely functional in Now in 2010 there are established channels, through contracts, material transfer agreements and IP trusts, that function properly and which have a significant impact on the livelihoods of rural communties.

The traditional knowledge in the national strategies. The implementation of governance mechanisms in subregional and national initiatives. All the stakeholders have been involved in the ABS capacity building process. The guidelines of environmental information management has been implemented in subregion.

Most countries have ABS legislation in place and are effective and enforced. Appropriate and funcitonal institutions are being established.

Awareness being raised. Community benfiting from their resources (i.e. Practical ABS realised) Each country having ABS regulations. International regime in place.

ABS understood and implemented by all stakeholders nationally and regionally. ABS regulation harmonized across the region. African influence on ABS matters in international negotiations.

My answer will be that with the help of the western world specifically from Germany and Holland most African countries have been able to put a National ABS regime in place and the majority of the African people is aware of ABS.

All the stakeholders are involved in the process. We have good legislation to transform the concept of ABS into reality. We recognize the local communitys knowledge and we give value to them.

New curricula/revised curricula addressing critical resources management with a component of ABS. This would transfer knowledge only known to a few people to all people.

There are clear guidelines on ABS. Communities will have a voice and rights when it comes to ABS.

Recognisation, respect and involvement of local community and the government together. Ownership of property by communities is research at national level. Following procedures at all levels.

National and regional ABS arrangement/legislation that enable sustainable use of biological resources and equitable benefits to local communities, states and investments.

That there are strong laws and regulations to protect ABS and Genetic resources (GR) in Africa. The African people are benefitting from the GR and TK in their communities.

Improved incomes for households. Clear guidelines on how to access genetic resources. Exports kill boosted. Poverty reduction.

Most African countries stride to develop ABS regime that would guide them on how to implement the ABS concept at internationa, national and community levels. What has changed is that all the countries have managed to develop workable ABS regimes nad able to implement them and communities are benefiting from utilisation of genetic resouces in their localities.

A fair and equitable process has been established to ensure that knowledge holders derive equitable benefits from development through biodiversity. That access to resources related to IKS biodiversity is distributed fairly and that people are not excluded because of their lack of expertise.

I would like to see: Clear definitions and value of extracts from biological resources. Clear valuation model, genetic resources, extracts and biological resources. Biological resources data bases developed.

Harmonized regional ABS regime. Good ABS draft legislation in the African countries.

There are clear guidelines on ABS. Communities, indigenous People and local communities are well informed on issues on ABS.

You asked me what has changed in the field of ABS in Africa since I would reformulate the question: what has ABS changed in Africa since 2008, because of its progressive nature it has had a number of beneficial.

Improved framework for translation of results of biodiversity research into commercialisable biodiversity based products.

An effective policy and legislative system is put in place that allows local and indigenous communities to access and share benefits arising from the use of biodiversity and their traditional knowledge and innovations.

Rural communities understand ABS and stand for their rights in this regard.

Communities, Parliamentarians, Policy makers etc. will be aware on ABS and regulating mechanisms for ABS will be in place for all Nations.

Simple, clear, harmonised processes are put in place to ensure access to genetic resources and as a result trade in and sustainable use of resources increased to ensure that all especially local communities are benefitting from the resources that they have cared for and managed and the indigenous knowledge and practices they have developed.

ABS has had the impact needed to ensure that all African participating countries have implemented the most workable legislation to the advantage of international trade and to the benefit of their people.