Outcomes of the CBD negotiations will shape the use of and access to DSI for decades to come. Our expertise as major producers and users of DSI can be useful in contributing to weighing the advantages and disadvantages of different DSI policy options, and that is our intention with the Open Letter. We want to contribute to ensuring that CBD decisions will reflect the reality of the scientific process. Open access to DSI and related data has enabled ground-breaking advances in many fields of research and underpins the generation of knowledge and common goods that benefit us all. At the same time, we recognise that ensuring benefit-sharing is also vital to meet the Sustainable Development Goals and make the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework a success.
The DSI Scientific Network’s mission is to contribute to policymakers’ and other stakeholders’ understanding of DSI, its applications and contributions to research supporting biodiversity conservation and public health, as well as the global benefits of open access to DSI databases. The Network gathers over 50 experts worldwide with experience in scientific research using DSI and committed to supporting informed decision-making on future access and benefit-sharing framework(s) for DSI.
(DSI Scientific Network)
