Implementation of the Multilateral Mechanism on Digital Sequence Information in Germany

The ‘NatUR-DSI’ project (National Implementation Roadmap for Digital Sequence Information) examines the national implementation of the multilateral mechanism for the sharing of benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information (DSI). The mechanism adopted at CBD COP16, together with the Cali Fund, has created a new international framework designed specifically to encourage commercial users of DSI to make financial and non-monetary contributions towards benefit-sharing. As the mechanism is based largely on voluntary participation and ‘soft law’, a key focus of the project is on non-legislative policy options for effective implementation in Germany.

To this end, the project combines legal and social science analyses with empirical surveys. Firstly, the project examines the interfaces between the DSI mechanism and other international regulatory frameworks, as well as potential overlaps, demarcation issues and interactions. In parallel, the landscape of relevant DSI databases in Germany is analysed. A further focus is on how non-monetary benefits arising from the use of DSI can be identified, recorded, quantified and made visible. Furthermore, the project examines different incentive and payment models for contributions to the Cali Fund. In particular, it looks at which user groups can be targeted and how information, communication and incentive measures need to be designed to support the broadest and most effective possible participation in the mechanism.

The research findings are discussed and validated in workshops with stakeholders. At the same time, the work is continuously adapted to developments in international negotiations and to new decisions taken under the CBD.