In September, ACB research and advocacy officer Sabrina Masinjila participated in a multi-stakeholder workshop hosted by the Kenya Seed Savers Network. The aim of the meeting, which took place in Gilgil, was to develop a strategy for grassroots organisations to effectively engage in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and actualise the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The workshop also addressed Kenya’s progress in developing a National Biodviersity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).

The meeting, which included a presentation by the Kenya Seed Savers Network of a policy brief on farmer-managed seed systems (FMSS) and a model for accessing registered but un-commercialised seed varieties from public institutions, began with a tour of the learning centre which employs various technologies. Of particular interest was the nurseries where they do seed germination trials and a seed bank where they have collected and stored indigenous seed as well as accessions from other countries.

Masinjila made three presentations during the meeting: An introduction to the CBD; An introduction to the GBF and linkages to agricultural biodiversity, FMSS and agroecology; and Key outcomes from the 26th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 26) and topics to be discussed at COP 16.

Kenya is set to adopt all the GBF targets but also has some additional proposals based on its national priorities, such as the inclusion of plastic pollution, wildlife and human conflicts. The country already has a draft NBSAP that is being finalised before it can be submitted.