As part of the “Program for research, information exchange, awareness-raising and conservation of biodiversity in Burundi” established under the memorandum of understanding between OBPE (ex-INECN) and the Royal Institute of Natural Sciences of Belgium (IRSCnb) under the funding of the CHM-Belge-Cebios, a national workshop to validate the Strategic Plan for Research on Medicinal Genetic Resources in Burundi and signature of a memorandum of understanding between Researchers and Researchers Traditional practitioners on plant research Medicinal products were held in the Détente enclosures. It was October 4, 2016.

 

Present in this workshop were representatives of traditional practitioner associations, research institutions, the representative of the Kingdom of Belgium, professors from universities and higher education institutions, researchers, representatives and managers of the various ministries concerned. This workshop consisted of the following main stages:

- Opening ceremonies;
- Presentation session, exchange and discussion;
- Group work and presentation of the results in plenary;
- Ceremonies for signing the memorandum and closing of activities.

The opening ceremonies were marked by:

- A word of welcome delivered by the Director General of the Burundian Office for Environmental Protection (OBPE);
- An address by the Representative of the Rector of the University of Burundi; - An address by the Representative of the Kingdom of Belgium;
- An address by the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS;
- An address by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Health and the Fight against AIDS;
- An opening statement delivered by the Assistant Minister responsible for the Environment in his duties.

Afterwards, the participants followed the first presentation entitled “Background and process of developing the Strategic Plan for Research on Medicinal Genetic Resources” made by Msc. Nzigidahera Benoît, APA Focal Point and Head of Biodiversity Research at OBPE.

 

In his presentation, he listed the basic requirements for allowing access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, the requirements for sharing benefits, and finally, the framework for collaboration to promote the application of the principles of ABS to medicinal genetic resources between traditional practitioners and researchers through the development of a strategic plan for research on medicinal genetic resources, and the need for collaboration between researchers and traditional practitioners, local and indigenous communities.

 

The second presentation concerned “the Strategic Plan for Research on Medicinal Genetic Resources in Burundi”.

In this presentation, Ms. BIGENDAKO Marie Josée, Professor at the University of Burundi, Professor at the University of Burundi and researcher on medicinal plants, spoke about the situation of research on medicinal genetic resources, the methods of studying medicinal genetic resources, the tools and equipment available, the tools and equipment available, the advantages of the valorization of medicinal genetic resources through research in the spirit of APA, the legal, political and institutional framework in relation to resource research. genetics and ABS as well as the country's capabilities in the field of research on medicinal genetic resources.

 

After these two presentations, the participants had a moment of exchange and discussion on the content of the presentations. As a result, the following concerns were identified:

• The need to strengthen the intellectual capacities of traditional practitioners;
• Access to research equipment on medicinal plants;
• The definition of methods for the conservation, treatment and sustainability of medicinal genetic resources;
• The need to talk at length about the animal medicinal genetic resources that participate in traditional medicine.

 

 

To analyze the document, 5 groups were formed. The results were presented during the plenary session.

 

Before moving on to the signing of the memorandum, a presentation of the content of the memorandum of understanding was made by Msc. Nzigidahera Benoît, APA Focal Point. In this presentation, researchers and traditional practitioners discussed some points of the memorandum and the amendments that were made on both sides in order to reach a consensus for the benefit of both parties.

 

The consensus reached between researchers and traditional practitioners on research on medicinal plants was operationalized by the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Dr. BANYANKIMBONA Gaspard, Rector of the University of Burundi on behalf of the research structures and Abbé MVUKIYE Léopold on behalf of the collective of associations of traditional practitioners.

 

In conclusion, during this workshop, the Strategic Plan for Research on Medicinal Genetic Resources was validated with some amendments and the memorandum of understanding between researchers and traditional practitioners on research on medicinal plants was signed.

The activities of this workshop were closed by the Director General of OBPE on behalf of the Minister in charge of the Environment. In his speech, he said that the memorandum of understanding that has just been signed is a unique gender framework that acts as a bridge between traditional practitioners and researchers. He added that the remarkable step that Burundi is taking in implementing the Nagoya Protocol owes much to the financial support of the Kingdom of Belgium. Thus, before ending his speech, he expressed his heartfelt thanks to the IRSCnb, which continues to support Burundi in the various interventions to preserve biodiversity.