The Government of Botswana has signed and ratified the Biodiversity Convention. Two of the central objectives of the Convention are to promote the fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources and the benefits that result, and appropriate access to genetic resources; appropriate transfer of relevant technologies taking into account all rights over those resources and technologies.

However, to date there is no legislation to protect indigenous knowledge and community interests in benefits derived from the use of genetic resources. Furthermore there are no guiding policies for the transfer of technology used in the exploitation of genetic resources. In the absence of appropriate legislation, these conservation of genetic resources projects predispose the country and communities to bio-piracy.

A number of NGOs who are active in the conservation of biodiversity and use of indigenous knowledge systems (Kalahari Conservation Society, Thusano Lefatsheng, Permaculture Trust of Botswana, Veld Products Research and Development and Tikatikwe Bioresources Trust) have come together to explore different ways of addressing this issue, with FONSAG as a network organisation taking a coordiantion role. The NGOs want to sensitise communities and traditional leaders about the risks and opportunities inherent in the OAU dratf Model Legislation, to build a basis for Botswana to produce its own legislation.

To this end, the coalition is proposing a one-day workshop to identify the appropriate legislation and form an advocacy group to sponsor a private bill that will protect biodiversity and traditional knowledge from bio-piracy. After the workshop the coalition will submit a proposal to GEF/SGP to implement its recommendations and facilitate the process to build the capacity of communities to protect indigenous knowledge.