Stakeholders from across Lesotho gathered for the country's first Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Week, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of biodiversity governance reforms. The event formed part of the broader Access and Benefit Sharing project implemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and  the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lesotho funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF ).

Held in Maseru from 22–25 June 2026, ABS Week 1 served as the project's principal national engagement event for the first half of 2026. The four-day programme brought together representatives from government institutions, development partners, traditional knowledge holders, community representatives, researchers, academia and civil society organisations to review project progress, validate key deliverables and strengthen collaboration on biodiversity governance.

Opening the event, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry representative, Ms. Qongqong Hoohlo welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of ABS Week as a platform for strengthening national collaboration on biodiversity governance. "ABS Week provides an important opportunity for stakeholders to review progress, validate key project deliverables and collectively identify priorities that will guide the next phase of implementation. The active participation of all stakeholders is essential to ensuring that Access and Benefit Sharing contributes to sustainable biodiversity management and equitable development in Lesotho."

Speaking on behalf of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Lesotho, Mr. Limomane Peshoane reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting the Government of Lesotho in implementing the Nagoya Protocol through inclusive partnerships and technical cooperation. "The ABS Project demonstrates how biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of genetic resources, protection of traditional knowledge and fair and equitable benefit-sharing can be advanced through strong partnerships, evidence-based decision-making and meaningful engagement with communities."

ABS Week provided a national platform to strengthen coordination and deepen understanding of the principles of Access and Benefit Sharing. The initiative underscored Lesotho's commitment to implementing international environmental agreements in a practical, inclusive, and nationally driven manner.

Designed as both a technical validation exercise and a knowledge-sharing platform, ABS Week combined technical presentations with panel discussions, community testimonies and interactive dialogue sessions that encouraged collaboration between policymakers, scientists, community representatives and traditional knowledge holders while promoting greater public awareness of Access and Benefit Sharing. 

The gathering focused on reviewing and validating key outputs of the ongoing Access and Benefit Sharing project, which is aligned with the Nagoya Protocol. Through structured discussions, participants examined ways to strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks governing the use of biodiversity resources in Lesotho. 

Particular emphasis was placed on ensuring that communities holding traditional knowledge are meaningfully included in decision-making processes. The discussions also fostered collaboration between researchers, policymakers, and community representatives to bridge scientific knowledge, legal frameworks, and indigenous knowledge systems.

Stakeholders reviewed outputs produced under the project's four consultancy workstreams covering bioprospecting, legal and institutional strengthening, gender mainstreaming, and knowledge management and communications. Feedback gathered during the week will inform refinement of these deliverables and guide implementation during the second half of 2026.

A central objective of ABS Week was to strengthen institutional coordination across the sectors involved in biodiversity governance. Government agencies worked alongside community leaders and technical experts to align national priorities and build a shared understanding of the legal, scientific, gender, and cultural dimensions of Access and Benefit Sharing. Participants explored how different groups interact with biological and genetic resources and how the benefits arising from their utilisation can be shared fairly and equitably.

The programme was organised around four thematic days focusing on the international ABS framework, bioprospecting and scientific research, gender and traditional knowledge, and legal and institutional strengthening. This structure enabled stakeholders to examine Access and Benefit Sharing from complementary scientific, legal, institutional and community perspectives.

Through dialogue, learning and collaboration, the first ABS Week contributed to building a stronger and more informed constituency to support effective and inclusive implementation of Access and Benefit Sharing in Lesotho. 

The discussions generated practical recommendations that will guide implementation during the remainder of 2026 and inform preparations for ABS Week 2, reinforcing the importance of sustained collaboration among government institutions, communities, researchers and development partners.

“The ABS Week has taught us a great deal, particularly about the importance of gender inclusion. As traditional healers, we have learned that we must work together with communities, recognising that communities also hold valuable knowledge and rights relating to medicinal plants. Traditional knowledge should not be used by traditional healers alone; it must be respected, shared responsibly, and benefit the communities who have preserved it.” said ‘Masamuel Nyokana, Traditional Healer. 

 The event reinforced the importance of collaborative action in ensuring that the country's rich biodiversity is conserved and utilised sustainably, while promoting the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of its unique natural resources.