Workshop Report: Validation of a Monitoring and Reporting Concept for ABS Indicators under the GBF and NBSAP

Date: 22–23 July 2025
Venue: Kyaka Hotel (TBC), Machakos, Kenya
Organized by: National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)
In collaboration with: ABS Capacity Development Initiative (GIZ)

Background and Objective

The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), in cooperation with the ABS Capacity Development Initiative (GIZ), successfully convened a two-day multi-stakeholder validation workshop to develop and refine a national concept for monitoring and reporting Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) indicators under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Kenya’s revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024–2030.

The workshop aimed to:

• Validate the draft concept for ABS monitoring and reporting.
• Align national frameworks with international commitments under the CBD and the Nagoya Protocol.
• Enhance institutional coordination and transparency in benefit-sharing processes.
• Support integration of ABS indicators into Kenya’s national biodiversity monitoring systems.

Key Highlights of the Workshop

Day 1 – 22 July 2025

Participants were welcomed with opening remarks by Dr. Charles Lange Director of Environmental Services NEMA, Mr. Joseph Masinde (Principal ESD Officer, NEMA) and Mr. Hartmut Meyer (ABS Capacity Development Initiative), who underscored the strategic importance of ABS monitoring in achieving GBF Target 13 and ensuring equity in biodiversity governance.

Key presentations included:

• ABS Indicators and Monitoring in the GBF – Hartmut Meyer outlined Parties' obligations under the CBD and introduced headline and component indicators adopted at COP 15 and refined at COP 16.
• Kenya’s ABS Legal and Institutional Framework & NBSAP – Mr. Masinde reflected on Kenya’s regulatory evolution, particularly the 2025 ABS Regulations under EMCA, and the importance of integrating ABS into NBSAP targets.
• Draft ABS Monitoring Concept & Flowchart – A proposed framework was presented, detailing institutional roles, data flows, and permit processes.

Lively plenary discussions followed, with representatives from KWS, KFS, KEPHIS, WRTI, Kenya Fisheries Service, Ministry of Environment, and indigenous community groups giving feedback on roles, capacity gaps, and coordination mechanisms.

Day 2 – 23 July 2025

The second day focused on:

• Reviewing and consolidating feedback.
• Finalizing the draft monitoring concept, including agreements on indicator sets, institutional mandates, and the role of the ABS Clearing-House.
• Identifying immediate next steps and institutional commitments for implementation.

The workshop concluded with a shared commitment to operationalize the concept and incorporate it into national reporting systems. Notably, the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership expressed readiness to support the finalization and piloting of the monitoring concept.

Participants

The workshop brought together 12 stakeholders, including:

• National government agencies (NEMA, KWS, KFS, KEPHIS, WRTI, Kenya Fisheries Service)
• Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry
• Local authorities and indigenous community representatives
• Academia and research institutions
• ABS experts and development partners (GIZ/ABS Initiative)

Outcomes and Next Steps

• Consensus on a draft ABS monitoring and reporting concept with clarified institutional roles and flowchart for permit issuance and benefit-tracking.
• Agreement to integrate ABS indicators into national NBSAP implementation and reporting tools.
• Planned piloting and capacity-building activities led by NEMA, supported by  NBSAP Accelerator Partnership.
• Strengthened cooperation between regulatory agencies and resource provider communities.