Posted on July, 04 2025

The draft law was validated during a workshop organized by the Ministry of Environment with support from WWF, bringing together about 50 participants from government, civil society, the private sector, and technical partners in Bangui from June 17 to18.

Genetic resources include plants, animals, and microorganisms used in food, medicine, and industry. The draft law aims to regulate how these resources are accessed and ensure that local communities also benefit from their use.
Victoria Passineme, ABS focal point for CAR, emphasized that the law represents a turning point in recognizing traditional knowledge and ensuring transparent benefit-sharing.

“It’s essential that communities who protect this biodiversity also share in its benefits,” said Laurent Some, WWF Country Director for CAR.
CAR holds immense potential in genetic resources, thanks to its rich and varied ecosystems that stretch from dense tropical forests to open savannas. This ecological diversity supports an exceptional range of biodiversity, including iconic wildlife such as elephants, gorillas, and chimpanzees. CAR’s forests are not only home to abundant timber and non-timber forest products but also serve as a reservoir of indigenous crops with significant but largely untapped genetic value.

However, this genetic wealth faces increasing threats from unsustainable practices such as slash-and-burn agriculture, overharvesting of firewood, and recurring bushfires. These pressures risk undermining both biodiversity and the long-term wellbeing of communities who depend on these natural resources.

The draft law was approved by acclamation and will soon be submitted to Parliament. Once adopted, it will provide a clear and fair legal framework to protect biodiversity and support local communities.