Convention on Biological Diversity

Convention on Biological Diversity
Name	Convention on Biological Diversity
Type	Multilateral environmental agreement
Date signed	5 June 1992
Location signed	Rio de Janeiro
Date effective	29 December 1993
Condition effective	Ratification by 30 states
Signatories	168
Parties	196
Depositor	Secretary-General of the United Nations
Languages	Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish

Convention on Biological Diversity. The Convention on Biological Diversity is a landmark international treaty adopted during the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It represents a global commitment to the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The agreement is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and has near-universal participation among sovereign states.

Background and history

The negotiation of the convention was driven by growing international scientific concern over accelerating species loss and habitat destruction throughout the 1980s. Key preparatory work was undertaken by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the United Nations Environment Programme. The final text was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, commonly known as the Earth Summit, alongside other major agreements like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Influential figures in its development included Mostafa Kamal Tolba and representatives from nations like Malaysia and Brazil. The treaty entered into force in 1993 after rapid ratification, highlighting the global political consensus on the issue at the time.

Objectives and scope

The convention establishes three primary objectives: the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources. Its scope encompasses all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources, explicitly linking conservation efforts to economic and developmental goals. It covers a vast range of issues from protected areas and species recovery to biotechnology and agricultural biodiversity, influencing related frameworks like the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Main provisions and protocols

Key substantive provisions require parties to develop national strategies for conservation and sustainable use and to integrate biodiversity considerations into sectoral planning. A cornerstone is the provision on access and benefit-sharing for genetic resources, which was later given a binding international framework through the Nagoya Protocol. The convention also adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to regulate the transboundary movement of living modified organisms. Other critical articles address identification and monitoring, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, technical and scientific cooperation, and public education, forming a comprehensive legal architecture for global biodiversity governance.

Implementation and national strategies

Implementation occurs primarily through the development of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, which are required under Article 6. These plans are supported by reporting mechanisms to the Conference of the Parties. Financial support for implementation, particularly for developing countries, is facilitated through the Global Environment Facility. Numerous projects are coordinated with specialized agencies like the Food and Agriculture Organization and non-governmental organizations such as Conservation International. The Aichi Biodiversity Targets, adopted under the convention's strategic plan, provided a previous global framework to guide national action until 2020.

Parties and governance

The convention has 196 parties, which includes nearly all United Nations member states, with notable non-parties including the United States and the Holy See. The supreme governing body is the Conference of the Parties, which holds periodic meetings to review progress and adopt decisions. A Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice provides expert guidance. Administrative support is provided by the Secretariat, headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Key decisions and strategic plans are negotiated among blocs including the European Union, the Group of 77, and the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries.

Criticism and challenges

Criticism has centered on the perceived lack of strong enforcement mechanisms and the consistent failure to meet global biodiversity targets, such as those set in Aichi and later in Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Challenges include insufficient funding, conflicting national interests, and the complexity of monitoring implementation across diverse political and ecological contexts. Some developing nations have argued that provisions on access and benefit-sharing, like those in the Nagoya Protocol, are difficult to implement. Conservation groups, including World Wildlife Fund, have often cited slow progress in halting global trends of habitat loss and species extinction as a major shortcoming of the international regime.

Category:United Nations treaties Category:Environmental treaties Category:1992 in the environment Category:1992 in Brazil