Convention on Biological Diversity

Convention on Biological Diversity
Name	Convention on Biological Diversity
Date	June 5, 1992
Location	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Effective	December 29, 1993
Parties	United Nations, World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, International Union for Conservation of Nature
Depositary	United Nations Secretary-General

Convention on Biological Diversity is an international agreement aimed at conserving and sustainably using biodiversity, while also ensuring the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The agreement was signed by over 150 United Nations member states, including United States, China, India, and European Union countries, during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and International Union for Conservation of Nature have also played significant roles in supporting the implementation of the agreement, in collaboration with other organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund and the International Institute for Environment and Development. The agreement has been influenced by various international agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Introduction

The Convention on Biological Diversity is one of the key agreements adopted during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Earth Summit, which was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. The agreement recognizes the importance of biodiversity for human well-being and the need to conserve and sustainably use ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. The World Bank, Global Environment Facility, and United Nations Development Programme have provided significant financial and technical support for the implementation of the agreement, in partnership with other organizations such as the World Conservation Union and the International Council for Science. The agreement has also been influenced by the work of renowned scientists, including Edward O. Wilson, Jane Goodall, and David Suzuki, who have highlighted the importance of conserving biodiversity for future generations.

History

The Convention on Biological Diversity was negotiated during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development preparatory process, which involved United Nations member states, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders, including the World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and The Nature Conservancy. The agreement was opened for signature on June 5, 1992, and entered into force on December 29, 1993, after being ratified by 30 United Nations member states, including Canada, Australia, and Germany. The agreement has been influenced by various international agreements, including the CITES and the Ramsar Convention, which aim to conserve and sustainably use wildlife and wetlands, respectively. The European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations have also played significant roles in supporting the implementation of the agreement, in collaboration with other regional organizations.

Objectives

The Convention on Biological Diversity has three main objectives: the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The agreement recognizes the importance of ecosystem services, including pollination, pest control, and climate regulation, and aims to conserve and sustainably use ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. The agreement has been influenced by the work of various organizations, including the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and International Union for Conservation of Nature, which have highlighted the importance of conserving biodiversity for human health, food security, and sustainable development. The United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and World Bank have also provided significant support for the implementation of the agreement, in partnership with other organizations such as the World Conservation Union and the International Council for Science.

Implementation

The implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity is supported by a range of mechanisms, including the Conference of the Parties, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation. The agreement has also established a number of programs and initiatives, including the Global Taxonomy Initiative and the Global Invasive Species Programme, which aim to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations have also established regional initiatives to support the implementation of the agreement, in collaboration with other regional organizations such as the Organization of American States and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The World Wildlife Fund, International Union for Conservation of Nature, and The Nature Conservancy have also played significant roles in supporting the implementation of the agreement, in partnership with other organizations such as the World Conservation Union and the International Council for Science.

Conference of the Parties

The Conference of the Parties is the governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity and is responsible for reviewing the implementation of the agreement and making decisions on its further development. The Conference of the Parties meets every two years and is attended by representatives of United Nations member states, as well as non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization, and International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Conference of the Parties has established a number of subsidiary bodies, including the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, which provide technical and scientific advice to support the implementation of the agreement. The European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations have also played significant roles in supporting the work of the Conference of the Parties, in collaboration with other regional organizations such as the Organization of American States and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Nagoya Protocol

The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity that aims to establish a framework for the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The Nagoya Protocol was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014, after being ratified by 50 United Nations member states, including Japan, Brazil, and South Africa. The Nagoya Protocol establishes a range of provisions, including access and benefit-sharing agreements, to support the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. The World Intellectual Property Organization, World Trade Organization, and United Nations Environment Programme have also played significant roles in supporting the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, in partnership with other organizations such as the World Conservation Union and the International Council for Science. The European Union, African Union, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations have also established regional initiatives to support the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol, in collaboration with other regional organizations such as the Organization of American States and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Category:International environmental agreements