Windhoek: The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) on Tuesday initiated the National Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) sector training programme. This initiative aims to bolster compliance with Namibia's ABS legislation and safeguard the nation's biological and genetic resources.According to Namibia Press Agency, MEFT Deputy Minister Anselm Marungu, in a speech delivered on his behalf, highlighted that the programme represents a significant step in implementing the Access to Biological and Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge Act, Act No. 2 of 2017. This act fulfills Namibia's commitments under the Nagoya Protocol.Marungu emphasized that the ABS framework is based on Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution and aligns with Vision 2030, as well as the sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), which recognizes natural resources as pivotal to socio-economic growth. He stressed the importance of transitioning from merely exporting raw biological materials to adding value through research, innovation, and product development. Marungu also underscored the necessity of effective ABS governance for industrialization and job creation.MEFT focal point person, Kauna Schröder, explained that ABS is a governance framework established under the Convention on Biological Diversity and operationalized through the Nagoya Protocol. Namibia ratified this protocol in 2010, following negotiations led by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during her tenure as the environment minister. Schröder stated that the framework regulates access to biological and genetic resources and ensures that benefits from their use are shared fairly with the State and local and indigenous communities.Dr. Taime Sylvester, a researcher, lecturer, and ABS expert, stated that compliance with ABS laws should not be perceived as a hindrance to scientific progress. 'Compliance is not bureaucracy; it is patriotism in practice. Every researcher is the first line of defence for Namibia's sovereign biological heritage,' Sylvester r emarked. She added that neglecting to obtain prior informed consent and negotiate mutually agreed terms exposes researchers and institutions to legal risks while undermining community rights.The three-day training brings together researchers, regulators, law enforcement officials, and media practitioners, focusing on ABS permitting, enforcement mechanisms, ethical research partnerships, and public awareness. It is anticipated to enhance coordination across sectors and reinforce the protection of Namibia's biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge.