| Overview : The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS), a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya (Japan) and entered into force on 12 October 2014, it provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of the 3rd objective of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The Nagoya Protocol applies to genetic resources that are covered by the CBD and to the benefits arising from their utilization, it also covers traditional knowledge (TK) associated with genetic resources held by indigenous and local communities. Contracting parties to the Nagoya Protocol need to fulfil core obligations to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance. The UNDP-GEF Global ABS Project “Strengthening human resources, legal frameworks, and institutional capacities to implement the Nagoya Protocol” is a 3-year project that specifically aims at assisting 24 countries in the development and strengthening of their national ABS legal frameworks, human resources, and administrative capabilities to implement the Nagoya Protocol. The implementation of the basic measures of the Nagoya Protocol in South Africa similarly to the other participating countries will unleash a wide range of monetary and non-monetary benefits for providers of genetic resources. In this regard, service of a consultant to conduct a gap analysis on existing national and provincial legislations relevant to ABS, and make recommendations on the harmonization of the ABS regulatory environment in South Africa, which is administered by the DEA, with the Nagoya Protocol, relevant national and provincial legislation, and the AU Guidelines. The Consultant shall undertake a detailed benchmark of existing national and provincial instruments, the Nagoya Protocol on ABS, AU Guidelines to inform the gap analysis process. The final report should be based on the findings and recommendations from the national assessments, gap analyses and consultations with key national and provincial stakeholders. | 
