Creation of the Interinstitutional Commission for Biodiversity Knowledge and Information Management (CIGECIB)Crea la Comisión Interinstitucional para la Gestión del Conocimiento y la

7317 of October 30, 1992; Article 4 of the Law for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development No. 7169 of June 26, 1990, and numeral 1 of the Law Assigning the National Museum and Parque Bolívar to Ministries No. 1542 of March 7, 1953.

I.That Article 50 of the Constitution establishes that the State must procure the greatest well-being for all the inhabitants of the country, guaranteeing the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, in respect of the right to the protection of human health derived from the right to life.

II.That the Convention on Biological Diversity and annexes approved by Law No. 7416 of June 30, 1994, establishes as objectives the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. In its Article 7, this Convention establishes that each Contracting Party shall, as far as possible: a) identify components of biological diversity important for their conservation and sustainable use; b) monitor, through sampling and other techniques, the components of biological diversity, paying particular attention to those requiring urgent conservation measures and those offering the greatest potential for sustainable use; c) identify processes and categories of activities which have or are likely to have significant adverse impacts on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and monitor their effects through sampling and other techniques; and d) maintain and organize, by any mechanism, data derived from identification and monitoring activities in accordance with the preceding subsections.

III.That the Organic Law of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Law No. 7152 of June 5, 1990, stipulates that the Ministry of Environment and Energy is the governing body of the Environment and Energy Sector, and in accordance with Article 2, it has competencies to: "(..) a) formulate, plan, and execute the natural resource policies (..) and environmental protection policies of the Government of the Republic, as well as the direction, control, oversight, promotion, and development of the mentioned fields; (..), e) promote and manage legislation on exploration, exploitation, distribution, protection, management, and processing of natural resources related to its area of competence, and ensure compliance (..), h) promote and develop environmental education programs at all educational levels and for the general public, z) Carry out inventories of the natural resources that the country possesses, and j) Advise public and private institutions regarding environmental planning and the development of natural areas.".

IV.That the Organic Law of the Environment No. 7554 of October 4, 1995, regulates that the State shall defend and preserve the right to a healthy and ecologically balanced environment, seeking greater well-being for all inhabitants of the Nation, and in its Article 46, declares of "public interest the activities intended to conserve, improve, and, as far as possible, recover the biological diversity of the national territory, also those aimed at ensuring its sustainable use" and indicates as one of the criteria to be considered for executing them: "(...) d) The use of research and monitoring to define strategies and programs for the protection and management of habitats or species."

V.That the Biodiversity Law No. 7788 of April 30, 1998, in its Article 6, declares: "The biochemical and genetic properties of the elements of wild or domesticated biodiversity are in the public domain. The State shall authorize the exploration, research, bioprospecting, use, and exploitation of the elements of biodiversity that constitute public goods, as well as the utilization of all genetic and biochemical resources, through access regulations (..)"

VI. That

Article 14 of the Biodiversity Law creates the National Commission for the Management of Biodiversity (hereinafter CONAGEBIO) and assigns it attributions including, among others: formulating national policies regarding the conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of biodiversity, and formulating education and public awareness, research, and technology transfer policies on biodiversity matters, in coordination with the different responsible bodies.

VII.That Article 22 of that same normative body creates the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), as an institutional management and coordination system, deconcentrated and participatory, that will integrate the competencies in forestry, wildlife, protected areas matters, and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, in order to issue policies, plan, and execute processes aimed at achieving sustainability in the management of the natural resources of Costa Rica.

VIII.That Article 7 of the Wildlife Conservation Law No. 7317 of October 30, 1992, establishes the functions of the National System of Conservation Areas of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, among which are: "(..) a) Establish the technical measures to be followed for the proper management, conservation, and administration of wildlife (.); d) Promote and execute education and research programs on the additional use of the country's renewable natural resources, in the field of wildlife under its competence (..); and i) Create and manage programs for management, control, surveillance, and research on wildlife (...)".

IX. That

Article 90 of the Biodiversity Law establishes: "Considered part of the National Science and Technology Program, the objectives of this law in matters of biodiversity".

X.That the Law for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development No. 7169 of June 26, 1990, has the general objective of facilitating scientific research and technological innovation that leads to greater economic and social progress within the framework of a comprehensive sustainable development strategy, with the purpose of preserving the country's natural resources for future generations and guaranteeing Costa Ricans a better quality of life and well-being, as well as a better knowledge of themselves and of society.

XI.That additionally, said law establishes in its Article 4 that it is the duty of the State: "a) To ensure that science and technology are at the service of Costa Ricans, provide them well-being, and allow them to increase knowledge of themselves, of nature, and of society (..) c) To provide the specific instruments to incentivize and stimulate research, the transfer of knowledge, and science and technology, as fundamental conditions for development and as elements of universal culture, d) Promote coordination between the private and public sectors and the research centers of state higher education institutions, to advise, guide, and promote science and technology policies for the various sectors of society. (..) k) To promote the selective incorporation of modern technology in public administration, in order to streamline and permanently update public services, within the framework of an administrative reform, to achieve the modernization of the Costa Rican state apparatus, in pursuit of better efficiency levels (..) and l) To facilitate the scientific and technological exchange of the country with the world community, to try to rescue the most valuable aspects of the experiences and achievements of other countries".

XII.That the Law Assigning the National Museum and Parque Bolívar to Ministries No. 1542 of March 7, 1953, establishes in its Article 1, as the purpose of the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica: "(...) to be the center entrusted with collecting, studying, and properly conserving representative specimens of the country's flora and fauna, and of the minerals of its soil, as well as of its historical and archaeological relics, and shall serve as a center for exhibition and study. For this purpose, and in order to promote the development of national ethnography and history, it shall take advantage of the scientific collaboration that best suits its purposes".

XIII.That the National Council of Rectors (CONARE) was created through the Coordination Agreement for State University Higher Education in Costa Rica, subscribed by the State University Higher Education Institutions on December 4, 1974, and reformed by them on April 20, 1982, and has within its functions: "To designate the representatives of State University Higher Education in all cases where this is legally appropriate".

XIV.That Executive Decree No. 37658-MINAET of January 29, 2013, establishes the National Environmental Information System (SIN1A), under the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, coordinated by the National Geo-environmental Information Center (CENIGA), as the official platform for institutional and sectoral coordination and linkage of the Costa Rican State to facilitate the management and distribution of national environmental information knowledge.

XV.That Executive Decree No. 34433-MINAE of March 11, 2008, "Regulation to the Biodiversity Law", in its Chapter IV, regulates matters related to education and public awareness, research, and technology transfer, under the charge of the Interinstitutional Commission for Education and Public Awareness and Research in Biodiversity (CIECOPI)

XVI.That in order to avoid duplication of functions between Commissions, and to allow greater agility in their fulfillment, it is necessary to reformulate Chapter IV of Executive Decree No. 34433-MINAE of March 11, 2008, transferring the topic of research and technology transfer from the Commission for Education and Public Awareness, Research, and Transfer of Technology (CIECOPI), to the Commission created in this Executive Decree, composed of representatives from CONAGEBIO, CENIGA, SINAC, Museo Nacional de Costa Rica, MICITT, and CONARE.

XVII.That CIECOP will maintain its functions regarding education and public awareness, through technical advice and coordination with the pertinent public and private institutions and other related bodies and initiatives.

XVIII.That the aforementioned regulations establish the responsibility of the Costa Rican State to carry out the necessary actions for the purpose of conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, of promoting the generation of knowledge about its components, and of facilitating mechanisms for the dissemination of that information and knowledge for the benefit of society.

XIX.That the country has positioned itself globally in the field of research, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity in situ and ex situ due to the activities carried out by both state institutions and private natural and legal persons, contributing to increasing the knowledge of the country's natural and cultural heritage.

XX.That to integrate, process, and disseminate freely and free of charge the knowledge, information, and data of Costa Rica's biodiversity, available in the national and international community, innovative computer technology is required that supports the advancement of science, education, and sustainable human development.

XXI.That in compliance with the provisions of Article 361 of the General Law of Public Administration No. 6227 of May 2, 1978, CONAGEBIO submitted for knowledge and consultation of the institutions and the general public the proposal of this Executive Decree, granting a period of ten business days counted from the day following the publication of the corresponding notice, for submitting observations with the respective technical, scientific, or legal justification to the Institution's headquarters.

XXII.That in accordance with the Regulation to the Law for the Protection of the Citizen from Excessive Administrative Requirements and Procedures, Executive Decree No. 37045-MP-MEIC of February 22, 2012, and its reforms, it was determined that the present proposal does not establish or modify procedures, requirements, or proceedings that the administered party must comply with, a situation for which the prior control procedure was not carried out.

THEY DECREE:

"Creation of the Interinstitutional Commission for the Management of Knowledge and Information on Biodiversity (CIGECIB) and declaration of Public Interest of the Computer Platform for the management of national knowledge and information on the biodiversity of Costa Rica"

General Provisions

This commission shall act on an ad honorem basis, under the coordination of the Technical Office of the National Commission for the Management of Biodiversity (CONAGEBIO).

• a)To recommend the strategies and actions necessary for the development and consolidation of a computer platform that allows for the articulation and strengthening of the generation and management of both scientific and traditional knowledge, information, and data on the biodiversity of Costa Rica, integrating the different databases and services existing at the national and international level.
• b)To propose the biodiversity information and geospatial data content to be included in the computer platform, establishing priorities according to the needs and information gaps identified, respecting the competencies and policies of the institutions or nodes of the platform.
• c)To propose policies for the use and updating of the platform's information.
• d)To recommend the guidelines, data and quality standards for the nodes that participate in publishing data on the platform.
• e)To propose guidelines on intellectual property and access to scientific and traditional knowledge, biodiversity information, and data.
• f)To manage the technical and financial support for the development and maintenance of the computer platform.
• g)To promote the development of incentive policies for the free and cost-free publication of biodiversity data and information.
• h)To facilitate the development and operation of the platform, coordinating with the Coordination Unit of the National Environmental Information System (SINIA), which is carried out by CENIGA.
• i)To promote and incentivize communication among the generators of information on the biodiversity of Costa Rica, fostering dialogue between scientific and traditional knowledge, at the national and international level.
• j)To promote coordination with other commissions, programs, and state or private institutions related to the subject.
• k)To promote and propose before the corresponding public and private bodies, strategic alliances with the goal of generating, improving, and sharing databases, as well as the systematization of that information.
• l)To promote the inclusion of the objectives of the Biodiversity Law in the National Science and Technology Plan.
• m)To recommend the subscription of collaboration agreements and conventions with national and international institutions for the management of knowledge and information on biodiversity.
• n)To promote the development of national capacities in the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) applied to the management, integration, curation, visualization, and analysis of biodiversity data.
• o)To advise public or private institutions on issues related to the generation, management, and dissemination of scientific and traditional knowledge, and information on biodiversity, with the goal that these inputs be considered in education, research, conservation, and the sustainable use of biodiversity, allowing for adequate technological transfer and the equitable distribution of benefits.
• p)To advise the Executive Branch in order to comply with national and international commitments related to the subject of knowledge and information management in biodiversity.

• a)The Executive Director of the Technical Office of the National Commission for the Management of Biodiversity (CONAGEBIO), who shall chair it.
• b)A representative of the National Geo-environmental Information Center (CENIGA).
• c)A representative of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).
• d)A representative of the Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.
• e)A representative of the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Telecommunications (MICITT) f) A representative of the National Council of Rectors (CONARE).

Said representatives and their respective alternates shall be appointed by the head of each participating entity for a three-year period, which may be extended.

Whoever serves as President of the Commission shall resolve any matter in case of a tie, for which they shall have a casting vote.

The Commission may invite representatives of other public and private entities, as ad hoc expert advisors on specific subjects, or form subcommittees with specific mandates.

If only the alternate appears, they shall assume the condition of the principal member. The agreements shall be approved by a simple majority vote and shall be adopted firmly if the Commission considers it necessary and so agrees at the time of their approval. Special Guests or Advisors may attend the CIGECIB sessions with voice but without vote.

Through this computer platform, the official data on the biodiversity of Costa Rica shall be integrated, processed, analyzed, systematized, and periodically published, through technological tools that facilitate the use and free, cost-free, and automated access to biodiversity information and geospatial data. This computer platform shall be administered by CENIGA.

The intellectual property rights that are in force shall be respected. At all times, the contributions made by natural or legal persons, public or private, to the platform that allows access to and dissemination of knowledge and information shall be recognized.

Furthermore, each public or private organization and institution represented in this Commission shall bear the cost of per diem and transportation for its representatives.

Final Provisions

34433-MINAE of March 11, 2008, published in La Gaceta No. 68 of April 8, 2008, are hereby reformed, so that they henceforth read:

"CHAPTER IV: EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS

The Interinstitutional Commission for Education and Public Awareness (CIECOP) is created, for technical advice and coordination with the pertinent public and private institutions and other related bodies and initiatives, whose functions shall be:

• a)To propose non-formal education policies and programs and advise on formal education policies and programs, that incorporate the knowledge and value of the components of biodiversity, such as genes, species, and ecosystems, associated knowledge, the causes that threaten and reduce them, and the sustainable use of said components.
• b)To propose coordination mechanisms among the pertinent public institutions, to include the component of education and public awareness on the conservation and sustainable use of the elements of biodiversity in the projects developed by them in the environmental field, specifically in the area where the projects will be developed.
• c)To advise and recommend the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and other public and private institutions in the development of dissemination and information strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of the components of biodiversity.".

"Article 75.- Composition of the Interinstitutional Commission for Education and Public Awareness. The Commission shall be composed of qualified professionals in the field, from the following departments:

• a)A representative of CONAGEBIO.
• b)A representative of SINAC.
• c)A representative of the MEP.
• d)A representative of CONARE Said representatives and their respective alternates shall be appointed by the head of each participating entity for a renewable three-year period. The principal members and alternates of CIECOP have the right to attend the sessions with voice, but the vote shall be exclusively reserved for the principal member. If only the alternate appears, they shall assume the condition of the principal member.

The presidency of this commission shall correspond to the representative of CONAGEBIO. Whoever serves as President of the Commission shall resolve any matter in case of a tie, for which they shall have a casting vote.

When it deems it necessary, the Commission may invite representatives of other public and private entities, as ad hoc expert advisors on specific subjects, or form subcommittees with specific mandates."

34433-MINAE of March 11, 2008, is hereby repealed.

Given at the Presidency of the Republic.- San José, on the eighteenth day of the month of October of the year two thousand seventeen.

Esta comisión actuará en forma ad honórem, bajo la coordinación de la Oficina Técnica de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO).

• a)Recomendar las estrategias y acciones necesarias para el desarrollo y consolidación de una plataforma informática que permita la articulación y el fortalecimiento de la generación y gestión del conocimiento, tanto científico como tradicional, la información y los datos sobre la biodiversidad de Costa Rica. Integrando las diferentes bases de datos y servicios existentes a nivel nacional e internacional.
• b)Proponer los contenidos de información sobre biodiversidad y datos geoespaciales que se incluirán en la plataforma informática, estableciendo las prioridades según las necesidades y vacíos de información que se identifiquen, respetando las competencias y políticas de las instituciones o nodos de la plataforma.
• c)Proponer políticas de uso y actualización de la información de la plataforma.
• d)Recomendar los lineamientos, estándares de datos y de calidad para los nodos que participan en la publicación de datos en la plataforma.
• e)Proponer directrices de propiedad intelectual y acceso al conocimiento, científico y tradicional, información y datos de biodiversidad.
• f)Gestionar el apoyo técnico y financiero para el desarrollo y mantenimiento de la plataforma informática.).
• g)Promover el desarrollo de políticas de incentivos, para la publicación libre y gratuita de datos e información sobre biodiversidad.
• h)Facilitar el desarrollo y funcionamiento de la plataforma, coordinando con la Unidad de Coordinación del Sistema Nacional de Información Ambiental (SINIA), la cual es ejercida por el CENIGA.
• i)Promover e incentivar la comunicación entre los generadores de información sobre biodiversidad de Costa Rica, promoviendo el diálogo entre saberes científico y tradicional, en el ámbito nacional e internacional.
• j)Promover la coordinación con otras comisiones, programas e instituciones estatales o privadas relacionadas con el tema.
• k)Promover y proponer ante las instancias correspondientes públicas y privadas, alianzas estratégicas con el fin de generar, mejorar y compartir las bases de datos, así como la sistematización de esa información.
• I)Promover la inclusión de los objetivos de la Ley de Biodiversidad en el Plan Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología.
• m)Recomendar la suscripción de acuerdos y convenios de colaboración con instituciones nacionales e internacionales para la gestión del conocimiento e información de la biodiversidad.
• n)Promover el desarrollo de capacidades a nivel nacional en el uso de las Tecnologías de la Información y la Comunicación (TIC) aplicadas al manejo, integración, curación, visualización y análisis de datos de biodiversidad.
• o)Asesorar a instituciones públicas o privadas en temas relacionados con la generación, gestión y divulgación del conocimiento, científico y tradicional, y la información sobre biodiversidad, con la finalidad de que estos insumos sean considerados en la educación, la investigación, la conservación y el uso sostenible de la biodiversidad, que permitan una adecuada transferencia tecnológica y la distribución de los beneficios de forma equitativa.
• p)Asesorar al Poder Ejecutivo con el fin de dar cumplimiento a compromisos nacionales e internacionales relacionados con el tema de la gestión del conocimiento y la información en biodiversidad.

• a)El Director Ejecutivo de la Oficina Técnica de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad (CONAGEBIO), quien la presidirá.
• b)Un representante del Centro Nacional de Información Geoambiental (CENIGA).
• c)Un representante del Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservación (SINAC).
• d)Un representante del Museo Nacional de Costa Rica.
• e)Un representante del Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Telecomunicaciones (MICITT) f) Un representante del Consejo Nacional de Rectores (CONARE).

Dichos representantes y sus respectivos suplentes serán nombrados por el jerarca de cada entidad participante, por un período de tres años que puede ser prorrogable.

Quien funja como Presidente de la Comisión, resolverá cualquier asunto en caso de empate, para cuyo caso tendrá voto de calidad.

La Comisión podrá invitar a representantes de otros entes públicos y privados, como asesores ad hoc expertos en temas específicos, o conformar subcomisiones con mandatos específicos.

Si únicamente se presenta el suplente, éste asumirá la condición de titular. Los acuerdos serán aprobados por votación de mayoría simple y se adoptarán en firme si la Comisión lo considera necesario y así lo acuerde en el momento de su aprobación. Los Invitados Especiales o los Asesores, podrán asistir a las sesiones de la CIGECIB con voz pero sin voto.

Por medio de esta plataforma informática se integrará, procesará, analizará, sistematizará y publicará periódicamente los datos oficiales de la biodiversidad de Costa Rica, a través de herramientas tecnológicas que faciliten el uso y el acceso libre, gratuito y automatizado de la información en biodiversidad y datos geoespaciales. Esta plataforma informática será administrada por el CENIGA.

Se respetarán los derechos de propiedad intelectual que se encuentren vigentes. En todo momento se reconocerán los aportes que realicen las personas físicas o jurídicas, públicas o privadas, a la plataforma que permite el acceso y divulgación del conocimiento y la información.

Además cada organización e institución pública o privada, representada en esta Comisión, asumirá el pago de viáticos y transporte de sus representantes.

"CAPÍTULO IV: EDUCACIÓN Y CONCIENCIA PÚBLICA

Créase la Comisión Interinstitucional para la Educación y Conciencia Pública (CIECOP), para la asesoría técnica y coordinación con las instituciones públicas y privadas pertinentes y otras instancias e iniciativas relacionadas, cuyas funciones serán:

• a)Proponer políticas y programas de educación no formal y asesorar en políticas y programas de educación formal, que incorporen el conocimiento y el valor de los componentes de la biodiversidad, tales como los genes, especies y ecosistemas, el conocimiento asociado, las causas que las amenazan y reducen, y el uso sostenible de dichos componentes.
• b)Proponer mecanismos de coordinación entre las instituciones públicas pertinentes, para incluir el componente de educación y conciencia pública sobre la conservación y el uso sostenible de los elementos de la biodiversidad en los proyectos desarrollados por estas en el campo ambiental, específicamente en la zona donde se desarrollarán los proyectos.
• c)Asesorar y recomendar al Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía (MINAE) y demás instituciones públicas y privadas, en el desarrollo de estrategias de divulgación e información para la conservación y uso sostenible de los componentes de la biodiversidad.".

"Artículo 75.- Integración de la Comisión Interinstitucional para la Educación y Conciencia Pública. La Comisión estará conformada por profesionales idóneos en la materia, de las siguientes dependencias:

• a)Un representante de la CONA GEBIO.
• b)Un representante del SINAC.
• c)Un representante del MEP.
• d)Un representante del CONARE Dichos representantes y sus respectivos suplentes serán nombrados por el jerarca de cada entidad participante, por un período de tres años prorrogable. Los titulares y los suplentes de la CIECOP tienen derecho a asistir a las sesiones, con voz, pero el voto será exclusivamente del titular. Si únicamente se presenta el suplente, éste asumirá la condición de titular.

La presidencia de esta comisión le corresponderá al representante de la CONAGEBIO. Quien funja como Presidente de la Comisión, resolverá cualquier asunto en caso de empate, para cuyo caso tendrá voto de calidad Cuando lo considere necesario, la Comisión podrá invitar a representantes de otros entes públicos y privados, como asesores ad hoc expertos en temas espectficos, o conformar subcomisiones con mandatos específicos.

Dado en la Presidencia de la República.- San José, a los dieciocho días del mes de octubre del año dos mil diecisiete.