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IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group

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Convention on Biological Diversity

M. Pittet

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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was inspired by the global community's growing commitment to sustainable development and entered into force in 1993. As of March 2023, it has 196 Parties. It focusses on biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components.

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The CBD aims to:

  • sustain the rich diversity of life on Earth;

  • ensure the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of its components;

  • ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the commercial and other utilization of biological diversity;

  • recognise the value of traditional knowledge and inclusion of local people;

  • provide appropriate access to genetic resources and transfer of relevant technologies taking into account all rights over those.

 

How it works

The Convention of Biological Diversity provides a legal framework for action on biological diversity. It links traditional conservation efforts to the goal of using biological resources sustainable and covers biotechnology, technology development and transfer, benefit sharing and biosafety. The CBD is legally binding. Countries, which are part of it are obligated to implement its provisions. The responsibility for this implementation as well as for achieving goals rests largely with the individual countries.

Governments are required to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Moreover, states must ensure that activities within their jurisdiction do not cause damage to the environment of other states or beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.

  • The CoP is the ultimate authority and consists of all governments and regional economic integration organizations which have ratified the treaty. The CoP meets every two years and is responsible for:

    • reviewing progress;

    • identifying priorities;

    • setting work plans;

    • making amendments to the Convention;

    • collaborating with other international organizations.

  • The Secretariat is financed from contributions made by Parties and non-Parties to Trust funds. It is responsible for the organization and planning of the CBD.

  • The SBSTTA consists of government representatives with expertise in relevant fields. The SBSTTA main task is to assist the Conference of Parties with advice in regard of the implementation of the Convention. Its tasks include to:

    • provide assessments of the status of biological diversity;

    • provide assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention;

    • respond to questions that the CoP may put to the body.

  • In 2004 the Conference of the Parties established the WGRI to help to review the impacts and effectiveness of existing processes under the Convention and to support more effective processes for evaluation, reporting and reviewing implementation of the Convention and the Strategic plan.

  • In the tenth meeting of the CoP the Parties decided to establish the ICNP for the Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS) as an interim governing body for the Nagoya Protocol until the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol at which time it will cease to exist.  The ICNP meets twice during the inter-sessional period and helps in the preparations necessary for the first meeting of the Parties to the Protocol.

  • The ad Hoc Open ended- working group on protected areas has the mandate to:

    • explore options for cooperation for the building of marine protected areas in areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, consistent with international law and based on scientific information;

    • explore options to mobilise financial resources for the implementation of the work programme by developing countries;

    • contribute to further development of tool kits for management, monitoring and evaluation of national and regional systems of protected areas;

    • consider reports from the Parties, academia, and scientific organizations etc. on progress in the implementation of the work programme on protected areas;

    • recommend ways to improve the implementation to CoP.

M. Pittet

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