Overview
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty that seeks to conserve and sustainably use the world's biodiversity. It was signed by over 190 countries at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 1992. The CBD is one of the three main agreements of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), along with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The CBD is a critical instrument for protecting the natural world and promoting sustainable development.
The CBD 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. To achieve these objectives, the CBD has established a framework for countries to develop national biodiversity strategies and action plans, as well as to implement measures to protect and conserve threatened and endangered species.
History/Background
The concept of the CBD was first proposed in the 1980s by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which identified the need for an international agreement to address the loss of biodiversity. The CBD was formally negotiated between 1991 and 1992, with the participation of over 150 countries. The agreement was signed on June 5, 1992, and entered into force on December 29, 1993.
The CBD has undergone several revisions and updates since its adoption, including the COP-6 meeting in 2002, which established the Bonn Guidelines for the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity. The CBD has also established several key programs and initiatives, including the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and the Coral Reef Initiative.
Key Information
* The CBD has 196 parties, representing over 90% of the world's countries.
* The CBD has established several key targets, including the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which aim to conserve 17% of the world's land and sea areas by 2020.
* The CBD has also established several key programs and initiatives, including the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and the Coral Reef Initiative.
* The CBD has a Secretariat, which is based in Montreal, Canada and is responsible for providing technical and administrative support to the Conference of the Parties (COP).
* The CBD has a COP, which meets every two years to review progress and set new targets.
Significance
The CBD is a critical instrument for protecting the natural world and promoting sustainable development. The loss of biodiversity has significant impacts on human well-being, including the loss of ecosystem services, such as clean air and water, and the loss of medicinal plants and other natural resources. The CBD has helped to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and has promoted international cooperation on conservation and sustainable use.
