Conventions
There are five major conventions that the Biodiversity Working Group recognizes as an international framework of reference for biodiversity issues: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); UNESCO World Heritage Convention; Convention on Migratory Species; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
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Achieving a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss
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The world’s largest global environmental network
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Providing a forum for biodiversity-related policy development
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Convention on Biological Diversity
The most important of the biodiversity conventions is the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which dates from 29 December 1993. It has three main objectives:
- to conserve biological diversity;
- to use biological diversity sustainably; and
- to share the benefits of biological diversity fairly and equitably.
193 countries (Parties) have ratified the CBD. In April 2002, the Parties committed to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at global, regional and national levels by 2010.
The Convention on Biological Diversity deals with:
- protected areas;
- marine and coastal biodiversity;
- impact assessment; and
- measures and incentives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Decisions agreed at the CBD meetings, Conference of the Parties, are likely to become part of national legislation, strategies and requirements. They also influence the expectations of investors, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders.
The convention recognizes the importance of the co-operation and support of business and industry in delivering effective biodiversity conservation, and the CBD secretariat now provides advice and guidance on the issue.
International Union for the Conservation of Nature
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership union with more than 1,000 government and NGO member organizations, and 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than 160 countries. It is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network and represents an influential platform for law and policy development.
International events
A number of high-level events provide a forum for biodiversity-related policy development. These include:
Categories:
- Biodiversity
