Alejandro Lago is an international consultant specialized in environmental law and policy. He has a broad experience in the negotiation and implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from their utilization (ABS), in particular in Latin America (manager of the UNDP-GEF Global Project on ABS; leading several projects as the director of the UNESCO Chair for the Environment; and EU negotiator of the Nagoya Protocol).  
He has a PhD in Law (Global Environmental Governance), a Master of Laws (International Environmental Law and Trade), and a Law and an Economics degree.
He can be reached at alagoABS@gmail.com

Title of presentation: The legal challenges (ABS legislation) to consolidate bioprospection as a key component of Sustainable Development

Bioprospection is a great opportunity to put in value the rich biodiversity of Latin America. One of the biggest challenges for researchers is how to deal with the complex international and national legislations on Access to genetic resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS). Latin America was the region that shaped ABS into its current form and put in place, more than 25 years ago, the first regional system. Are ABS legislations facilitating bioprospection? Is currently bioprospection being promoted in Latin America as a key component of Sustainable Development?