Presently, data and studies of Bahrain’s genetic diversity remain deficit. The Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity mentions that there are approximately 600,000 palm trees in the Kingdom from more than 100 varieties.
In terms of agricultural crop varieties (local varieties of fruits and vegetables), the genetic diversity seems to be stable with no major status or trend changes.
The endemic Arabian horse breeds in Bahrain, of which there are 21 breeds of purebred Arabian horses with origins tracing to five authentic horses (Bahrain’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity) have also been maintained in stable conditions which can likely be attributed to the cultural interest of breeding pure Arabian horses.
Similarly with Arabian camel breeds, there are 20 breeds of Arabian camels in Bahrain which are in stable condition due to cultural interest from local stables.
In total, there are 8 breeds of sheep and 5 breeds of goat (which includes both Bahraini and alien breeds) and have also remained stable.*
Although Bahrain is yet to establish its own gene bank in terms of seeds for plant conservation, the country works on conserving its endemic plants through planting and studying native plants in the Desert Flora Garden in Al-Areen Reserve, which is open for research and hosts approximately 25 native plant species, some of which are used in traditional Bahraini medicine. Budaiya Botanical Garden also hosts a variety of native plant species.
*Note: The statistics/figures presented here are derived from the Fifth National Report, to the Convention on Biological Diversity (2016) which references data from a qualitative assessment conducted between 2011-2014. You can access the report here (Bahrain’s Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.pdf) + link: https://www.cbd.int/reports/nr5/
In addition, the Kingdom of Bahrain has joined and ratified two international treaties related to safeguarding genetic resources and biosafety.
1. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
What is the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB)?
The Protocol is an international agreement aiming to ensure the safe handling, transport and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) which may pose a risk to biodiversity and human health. More information on the protocol can be found on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) website https://bch.cbd.int/protocol/
Bahrain and the CPB
The Kingdom of Bahrain deposited it’s approval law on joining of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in 2011 per Law No. (2) of 2011 | Approval on Joining the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of the Convention on Biological Diversity
https://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/PDF/K0211.pdf (Law 2 of 2011.pdf)
Bahrain has been a party to the Cartagena Protocol since May 07 2012 (BH_Cartagena_PR_2012.pdf) https://www.cbd.int/kb/record/pressRelease/85761?RecordType=pressRelease).
Since its accession to the protocol, Bahrain has submitted the Third National Report on the Implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (3NR) in 2016, and the Fourth National Report (4NR) in 2022.
These reports aim to support countries in the implementation of the protocol by assessing their current status to identify areas of improvement and strength. These reports, and Bahrain’s reports, can be accessed through the Clearing House Mechanism (CHM) on the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) website https://bch.cbd.int/en/countries/BH/
A quick summary of the report can also be found here: CPB Summary.pdf
Following the latest submitted report in 2022, the 4NR concluded with updated insights on Bahrain’s current status and progress with the implementation of the protocol. Between April – June 2022, a series of awareness raising and capacity building webinars were conducted followed by a workshop which finalised the development of a National Action Plan seeking to coordinate between the relevant entities in the country to support Bahrain’s journey in ensuring biosafety.
Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation (Shortened as: Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing)
(Abbreviated as “ABS”)
What is the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing?
The Nagoya Protocol (ABS) is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014.
The aim of the Protocol is to ensure fair use i.e., benefits are shared with the party providing the genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and to establish conditions for the access of these genetic resources. Ultimately, this serves to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.
Bahrain and the Nagoya Protocol
The Kingdom of Bahrain deposited it’s approval law on joining the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing per Law No. (1) of 2022 (Law No. (1) of 2022 .pdf) | Approval on the Kingdom of Bahrain Joining Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilisation
https://legalaffairs.gov.bh/PDF/K0122.pdf
You can access the Nagoya Protocol text here:
(EN): https://www.cbd.int/abs/doc/protocol/nagoya-protocol-en.pdf
(AR): https://www.cbd.int/abs/doc/protocol/nagoya-protocol-ar.pdf
Information Sources and References
- Fifth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/bh/bh-nr-05-en.pdf
- Convention on Biological Diversity, 2012. Bahrain to become the 163rd Party to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. [online] Available at: https://www.cbd.int/kb/record/pressRelease/85761?RecordType=pressRelease [Accessed 3 May 2022].
- Law No. 2 of 2011 approving accession to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
قانون رقم (2) لسنة 2011 بالموافقة على الانضمام إلى بروتوكول قرطاجنة المتعلق بالسلامة الإحيائية للاتفاقية المتعلقة بالتنوع البيولوجي. https://www.legalaffairs.gov.bh/HTM/K0211.htm - Bahrain Country Profile in the Biosafety Clearing House Mechanism (BCH). Available at: https://bch.cbd.int/en/countries/BH/
- قانون رقم (1) لسنة 2022 بالموافقة على انضمام مملكة البحرين إلى بروتوكول ناغويا بشأن الحصول على الموارد الجينية والتَّقَاسُم العادل والمنصف للمنافع الناشئة عن استخدامها الملحق باتفاقية التَّنَوُّع البيولوجي
Law No. 1 of 2022 approving Bahrain’s accession to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity
Available at: https://legalaffairs.gov.bh/PDF/K0122.pdf