| ABS | “access to genetic resources and fair and equitably sharing the benefits arising from their utilization,” as conceived under Articles 1 and 15 of the CBD, also known as “access and benefit sharing” |
| AHWG-ABS | Ad hoc Open-ended Working Group on ABS, under the CBD-COP |
| Bonn Guidelines | Bonn Guidelines on Access to Genetic Resources and Fair and Equitable Sharing of the Benefits Arising out of Their Utilization (2002) |
| Cartagena Protocol | Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity (Nairobi, 2000) |
| CBD | Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio, 1992) |
| COP | Conference of the Parties (unless otherwise stated, “COP” when used alone, refers to the CBD COP) |
| DNA | deoxyribonucleic acid |
| GEF | Global Environment Facility |
| IGC | WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folklore |
| ITPGRFA | International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Rome, 2001) |
| MAT | Mutually Agreed Terms |
| MOP | Meeting of the Parties |
| MS | Multilateral System |
| NFP | National Focal Point |
| NPS | National Parks Service (used herein in reference to the United States National Parks Service) |
| PIC | Prior Informed Consent |
| SMTA | Standard Material Transfer Agreement |
| TRIPS Agreement | Trade-Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement |
| UPOV | International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (Union internationale pour la protection des obtentions végétales) |
| WIPO | World Intellectual Property Organization |
| WSSD | World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002) |
| WTO | World Trade Organization |