NGLS HANDBOOK

CBD

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

ORIGINS AND BACKGROUND

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was opened for signature in June 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). To date it has been ratified by 174 countries and one regional integration organization.

Since the convention came into force in December 1993, it has focused on implementation of its three basic objectives, namely the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Hence the convention is the first global, comprehensive agreement to address all aspects of biological diversity: genetic resources, species and ecosystems. It recognizes for the first time that the conservation of biological diversity is a “common concern of humankind” and an integral part of sustainable development. The convention also addresses for the first time matters related to equity and shared responsibility.

A number of meetings have been held under the auspices of the convention. They include four ordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP), four meetings of the Subsidiary Body for Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), six sessions of the Open-ended Ad Hoc Working Group on Biosafety, as well as the first Extraordinary Session of the COP, which will resume its work in January 2000 with a view to the finalization and adoption of a protocol on biosafety. In addition, several experts meetings (on coral bleaching, forests, and marine and coastal biodiversity), liaison groups (on agro-biodiversity, drylands, the ecosystem approach, indicators, forests and traditional knowledge), an inter-sessional meeting on the operations of the convention, as well as a workshop on traditional knowledge and biological diversity (Article 8j), have been convened. The fifth meeting of SBSTTA will be held in Montreal (Canada) from 31 January to 4 February 2000. The meeting of the ad hoc working group on traditional knowledge (Article 8j) will meet in Seville (Spain) in early 2000, and the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties will take place in Nairobi (Kenya) from 15-26 May 2000.

Information on the goals, objectives, programmes and activities of the convention can be found at the secretariat’s website (www.biodiv.org). For other information the secretariat can be contacted by e-mail at <secretariat@biodiv.org>.

CBD ACTIVITIES

The main provisions of the convention are the following.

--         In situ conservation of biological diversity: This includes the establishment of a system of protected areas, promotion of environmentally sound and sustainable development in areas adjacent to protected areas, rehabilitation and restoration of degraded ecosystems, recovery of threatened species, prevention of the introduction of, control or eradication of those alien species that threaten ecosystems, habitats or species.

--         Ex situ conservation of biological diversity: Through the establishment and maintenance of facilities for ex situ conservation and research of plants, animals and micro-organisms as well as the adoption of measures for the recovery and rehabilitation of threatened species and their reintroduction into their natural habitats.

--         Sustainable use of the components of biological diversity: Seeks to integrate matters in respect to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity into decision making, and adopting measures regarding its use while minimizing adverse impacts. It includes the protection of customary use, support to local populations in their efforts to recover degraded areas, and encouraging cooperation with the private sector in developing methods for sustainable use of biological diversity.

--         National strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity must be developed and integrated into relevant sectoral or cross-sectoral plans, programmes and policies.

--         Identification and monitoring of components of biological diversity, namely for those ecosystems and habitats that contain high diversity, a large number of endemic or threatened species, migratory species or species with social, economic, cultural or scientific value including described genomes and genes of social, scientific or economic importance.

--         Exchange of information on matters relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, including exchange of results of technical, scientific and socio-economic research. This is being facilitated by the Clearing-House Mechanism.

--         Technical and scientific cooperation promoted and facilitated by the Clearing-House Mechanism and through the appropriate international and national institutions. Parties are encouraged to promote methods of cooperation including joint research programmes and joint ventures for the development and use of technologies in pursuance of the objectives of the convention.

--         Incentive measures include the adoption of economic and social measures that act as incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

--         Research and training via the establishment of programmes for scientific and technical education and training and the promotion of research that contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

--         Public education and awareness to promote understanding of the importance of conservation of biological diversity through educational programmes, the media and via cooperation with international organizations.

--         Impact assessments must be developed to avoid or minimize adverse impacts on biological diversity and promote national arrangements for emergency responses to activities and events that present a grave and imminent danger to biological diversity. It also encourages international cooperation to establish contingency plans.

--         Access to genetic resources: Recognizing the sovereign rights of states over their natural resources, Parties must create conditions to facilitate access to genetic resources for environmentally sound uses, taking into account mutually-agreed terms and prior informed consent procedures.

--         Access to and transfer of technology: Among others, demands Parties to take legislative, administrative or policy measures to facilitate involvement of the private sector in the access, joint development and transfer of technologies including biotechnology.

--         Handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits: Includes the development, adoption and implementation of a Biosafety Protocol in the field of the safe transfer, handling and use of any living modified organism resulting from biotechnology that may have an adverse effect on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

--         Financial resources to achieve the objectives of the convention: Parties agree to provide financial support and incentives to achieve the objectives of the convention in accordance with its national plans, priorities and programmes. Developed countries are requested to provide new and additional financial resources to assist developing countries to fulfill the obligations of the convention. These funds are channelled through the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the interim financial mechanism of the convention.

Thus far, the Conference of the Parties has approved programmes of work in the fields of agro-biodiversity, forests, inland waters, and marine and coastal biodiversity (Jakarta Mandate). At COP-5, to be held from 15-26 May 2000 in Nairobi (Kenya), the work programme for dryland biodiversity will be considered.

Information Services

Information dissemination is facilitated via the Clearing-House Mechanism (www.biodiv.org/chm). Official documents (in six languages) can be accessed via the secretariat website (www.biodiv.org). In addition, the secretariat produces publications and maintains a library.

NGO PARTICIPATION

NGOs may participate in the meetings organized under the auspices of the convention as observers.

Contact

Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 393 St. Jacques, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H2Y 1N9, telephone +1-514/288 2220, fax +1-514/288 6588, e-mail <secretariat@biodiv.org>, website (www.biodiv.org).