- The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has 3 main objectives:
- The conservation of biological diversity
- The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
- The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
- Abstract of the Convention
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Objectives: To conserve biological diversity, promote the sustainable use of its components, and encourage equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. Such equitable sharing includes appropriate access to genetic resources, as well as appropriate transfer of technology, taking into account existing rights over such resources and such technology. Summary of provisions: (a) Definition of terms, such as “biological diversity”, “biological resources”, “biotechnology”, “genetic resources” (art. 2); (b) Restatement of the principle of nation sovereignty over domestic natural resources, subject to respect for the rights of other States (art. 4). The Convention, however, places a duty on States Parties to conserve biological diversity within their jurisdiction, as well as outside their jurisdiction in certain cases (art. 4); (c) Requirement of cooperation between States Parties, in preserving biological diversity in areas out of national jurisdiction (art. 5); (d) Conferment of responsibility on States Parties for the formulation and implementation of strategies, plans or programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (art. 6). States Parties are required to monitor elements of biological diversity, determining the nature of urgency required in the protection of each category, and in sampling them, in terms of risks to which they are exposed; (e) Attribution of responsibility to States Parties, in respect of in-situ (art. 8) and ex-situ (art. 9) conservation of biological diversity (arts. 12 and 13); (f) Obligation placed on States Parties to provide for research, training, general education and the fostering of awareness, in relation to measures for identification, conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (arts. 12 and 13); (g) Obligation placed on States Parties to provide for environmental impact assessment of projects that are likely to have significant adverse effects on biological diversity (art. 14). States Parties should exchange information and undertake consultation with other States in all cases where proposed national projects are likely to have adverse effects on biological diversity in other States; (h) Provisions concerning assess to genetic resources (art. 15); (i) Provisions on access to transfer technology, for application in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (arts. 16,18 and 19); (j) Provisions on financial resources. The Convention places a duty on States Parties to provide, in accordance with their individual capabilities, financial support for the fulfilment of the objectives of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (arts. 20 and 21); (k) Establishment of a Conference of Parties, with a Secretariat, to keep under review the implementation of the Convention (arts. 20 and 21); (l) Provision for the settlement of disputes (art. 27); The Convention has following annexes: I. Identification and monitoring; II. Arbitration and conciliation. (Source: UNEP Register of International Treaties and Other Agreements in the Field of the Environment, 2005)
Read the full text: Convention on Biological Diversity, Rio de Janeiro, 5 June 1992
The following links provide detailed information regarding the Convention and how it operates:
