23 October 2026
As discussions on the Cali Fund and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on genetic resources continue at COP17, the Finance for Biodiversity (FfB) Foundation has published new guidance to help investors understand the growing relevance of DSI. The publication was developed by the FfB Foundation’s DSI Investor Group and builds on the role of FfB Executive Director Anita de Horde as an observer of the Cali Fund Steering Committee.
DSI refers to the digital representation of information contained in genetic resources. It is becoming increasingly important for research and innovation across industries, particularly pharmaceuticals and biotechnology. Advances in genetic sequencing, computational tools and artificial intelligence are creating new opportunities for research and product development, while also raising questions about how benefits arising from the use of DSI should be shared fairly and equitably.
For investors, DSI’s significance extends beyond individual products and patents. Its potential to improve research productivity, accelerate innovation – especially in health and sustainability – and support new products, services and business models makes it increasingly relevant to understanding companies’ long-term competitiveness. At the same time, evolving international benefit-sharing arrangements present emerging legal and regulatory risks for companies and investors.
Practical guidance for investors
FfB Foundation’s new guidance, Digital Sequence Information (DSI) on Genetic Resources, provides a starting point for financial institutions looking to understand DSI and its implications for their portfolios.
The guidance aims to help investors assess potential portfolio exposure to DSI users, identify relevant companies and begin engaging with them on DSI use and fair and equitable benefit-sharing. It includes practical engagement questions to help investors better understand companies’ use of DSI, their benefit-sharing practices and how they are preparing for evolving international arrangements.
The publication also explores the Cali Fund, the financial arm of the Multilateral Mechanism for the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the Use of Digital Sequence Information on Genetic Resources, established under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
The Multilateral Mechanism aims to support fair and equitable benefit-sharing from the use of publicly available DSI on genetic resources, while preserving open access to data and supporting continued research and innovation. The Cali Fund is intended to channel contributions towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, including support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Supporting transparency and policy clarity
The guidance highlights the need for greater transparency from companies using DSI and presents recommendations to policymakers aimed at strengthening legal certainty and encouraging private sector contributions to the Cali Fund.
The publication builds on FfB Foundation’s ongoing work on DSI and benefit-sharing, including its participation in discussions on the development of the Cali Fund. In 2026, FfB Foundation established a DSI Investor Group to help financial institutions build their understanding of the topic and explore opportunities for engagement with portfolio companies.
Ida Hellmark, Senior Advisor, Norad, Norway said:
“Investors have an important role to play in communicating their expectations to companies regarding the use of DSI and encouraging greater ambition on benefit-sharing. NORAD supports the FfB DSI Investor Guidance as a tool for building capacity and understanding of the Cali Fund and the Multilateral Mechanism for sharing benefits from the use of DSI.”
By helping investors better understand this emerging issue, FfB Foundation aims to support more informed corporate engagement and the integration of DSI and benefit-sharing considerations into broader biodiversity finance strategies.
The guidance represents an initial step towards raising investor awareness of DSI, its commercial relevance and the evolving international framework for fair and equitable benefit-sharing.