Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a)(v) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,

Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament^f1,

Whereas:

The Union and its Member States joined the consensus of the 193 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (‘CBD’)^f2 that adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity (‘Nagoya Protocol’) on 29 October 2010.

In accordance with Council Decision of 6 May 2011^f3, the Nagoya Protocol was signed by the Union, subject to its conclusion at a later date. Most Member States have signed the Nagoya Protocol.

The Union is committed to the swift implementation and ratification of the Nagoya Protocol.

In accordance with Article 34 of the CBD, any protocol to the CBD is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by States and by regional economic integration organisations.

The Union and its Member States should endeavour to deposit simoultaneously, to the extent possible, their instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval of the Nagoya Protocol.

The Nagoya Protocol should therefore be approved on behalf of the Union,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: