The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding international treaty to
promote the following objectives:
- the conservation of biological diversity;
- the sustainable use of its components; and
- the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the...
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The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is a legally binding international treaty to
promote the following objectives:
- the conservation of biological diversity;
- the sustainable use of its components; and
- the equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

In 2002, the Conference of the Parties adopted a Strategic Plan, which commits Governments to
more effective and coherent implementation of the three objectives of the Convention in order to
achieve, by 2010, a significant reduction in the current rate of biodiversity loss at the global,
regional, and national level as a contribution to poverty alleviation and to the benefit of all life on Earth. This target – which has come to be known as the 2010 Biodiversity Target -- was
subsequently endorsed by Heads of Government at the World Summit on Sustainable
Development and the United Nations General Assembly. The Summit also highlighted the
essential role that biodiversity and the 2010 target play in meeting the Millennium Development
Goals.
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The CBD was the first global agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of all components of biodiversity including genetic sources, species and ecosystems.

The CBD was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme in
the period 1989-1992...
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The CBD was the first global agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of all components of biodiversity including genetic sources, species and ecosystems.

The CBD was negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme in
the period 1989-1992 and completed in May 2002. The Treaty was opened for signature during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992, and came into force on 29 December 1993.

The Convention on Biological Diversity provides a global legal framework for action on
biodiversity. It brings together the 191 Parties (190 member countries and the European
Community) in the Conference of the Parties (COP) which is the Convention’s governing body
that meets every two years, or as needed, to review progress in the implementation of the
Convention, to adopt programmes of work, to achieve its objectives, and provide policy guidance.

It may also consider amendments and the adoption of Protocols to the Convention: The
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was negotiated within the framework of the Convention.

Although the CBD is an international treaty, responsibility for its implementation resides
primarily with each Party at the national level. Thus the decisions of COP constitute guidance to Parties on how to proceed with their implementation of the Convention. Its decisions during these meetings also serve as mandates for the work of the Secretariat to support implement the Convention. Consensus is required for all decisions on substantive issues (i.e. a decision cannot be adopted if one or more parties formally object).

While decisions in the COP are made by governments, a large number of other bodies can
participate in the meetings and contribute information and points of view. These include
representatives of indigenous and local communities, international organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and private sector associations.
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The Convention on Biological Diversity supports opportunities for youth to develop key skills and contacts. In May 2008, in partnership with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, it launched...
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The Convention on Biological Diversity supports opportunities for youth to develop key skills and contacts. In May 2008, in partnership with the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, it launched The Green Wave, a global project to educate children and youth on biodiversity and the need to reduce its loss. This campaign enables young people to make a tangible contribution towards both biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. Action, through education and tree-planting, is a key component of The Green Wave campaign ( www.greenwave.cbd.int). Each year, the Convention on Biological Diversity also supports learning and networking opportunities for young people through its contributions to various local and international children and youth conferences. There will be other opportunities for youth involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010.
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