India has emerged as a global leader in issuing Internationally Recognised Certificates of Compliance (IRCCs) under the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the country accounts for over 56 per cent of all such certificates issued worldwide.
Data from the ABS Clearing-House shows that India has issued 3,561 IRCCs out of a global total of 6,311, placing it far ahead of other nations.
Out of 142 registered countries, only 34 have issued these certificates so far.
India leads significantly, followed by France, Spain, Argentina, Panama, and Kenya in the number of certificates issued, reflecting a strong global standing in implementing biodiversity protocols.
The Ministry stated that this achievement reaffirms India’s commitment to the fair and transparent use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge.
Under the protocol, countries must issue IRCCs to confirm prior informed consent and mutually agreed terms between users and providers of genetic resources.
These certificates play a crucial role in tracking the use of genetic resources, from research and innovation to commercial applications, while ensuring equitable sharing of benefits with the provider country.
India’s leading position reflects the effective implementation of its Access and Benefit-sharing framework under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
The system operates through the National Biodiversity Authority, along with state and local biodiversity bodies.
The Ministry highlighted that streamlined procedures and robust institutional mechanisms have enabled efficient processing and ensured compliance with international obligations.
This achievement underscores India’s proactive role in global biodiversity governance and its commitment to sustainable use and conservation, strengthening its position in implementing key environmental agreements worldwide.
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