Traditional knowledge-meaning and rights of TK holders. Convention on Biological Diversity
Traditional knowledge (TK) refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices that have been developed, sustained, and passed on from generation to generation within a community, often within indigenous or local communities. This knowledge is associated with the use of biological resources and can include knowledge about medicinal plants, farming practices, and conservation techniques.
The rights of traditional knowledge (TK) holders refer to the legal rights that communities and individuals have over their traditional knowledge. These rights can include the right to control access to their traditional knowledge, the right to benefit from its use, and the right to prevent its misappropriation.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that was adopted in 1992 to conserve biodiversity and to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of genetic resources. The CBD recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and it includes provisions to respect, preserve, and maintain traditional knowledge.
The CBD calls for the respect of the rights of traditional knowledge holders and for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of traditional knowledge. In particular, it calls for the protection of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and for the recognition of the rights of traditional knowledge holders over their knowledge.
The CBD also encourages the development of national and international mechanisms for the protection of traditional knowledge. This includes the development of databases, the establishment of traditional knowledge digital libraries, and the development of legal frameworks to protect traditional knowledge.
In summary, traditional knowledge refers to the knowledge, skills, and practices that have been developed and passed on within communities. The rights of traditional knowledge holders refer to the legal rights that communities and individuals have over their traditional knowledge. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, calls for the respect of the rights of traditional knowledge holders, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of traditional knowledge. It also encourages the development of national and international mechanisms for the protection of traditional knowledge.