Biodiversity, the variety of life on
Earth, contributes directly to human well-being in many ways. It is the foundation of the Earth’s life
support system on which the welfare of current and future generations depend. The
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally-binding
treaty with three main goals: the conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use
of biodiversity; and, the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising
from the use of genetic resources. With its three objectives, the CBD is often
seen as the key international instrument for sustainable development.
The Convention on Biological Diversity
covers biodiversity at all levels: ecosystems, species and genetic resources.
It also covers biotechnology, including through the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety. In fact, it covers all possible domains that are directly or
indirectly related to biodiversity and its role in development. The CBD’s
governing body is the Conference of the Parties (COP). This ultimate authority
of all governments (or Parties) that have ratified the treaty meets every two
years to review progress, set priorities and commit to work plans. The
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is based in Montreal,
Canada. Its main function is to assist governments in the implementation of the
CBD and its programmes of work, including organizing meetings, draft documents,
and coordinate with other international organizations and collect and spread
information. The Executive Secretary is the head of the Secretariat.
The notion of an international convention
on biodiversity was conceived at a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
Ad Hoc Working Group of Experts on Biological Diversity in November 1988. Soon
after, in May 1989, it established the Ad Hoc Working Group of Technical and
Legal Experts to prepare an international legal instrument for the conservation
and sustainable use of biological diversity. The experts were to take into
account "the need to share costs and benefits between developed and
developing countries" as well as "ways and means to support
innovation by local people". By February 1991, the Ad Hoc Working Group
had become known as the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee. Its work
culminated on 22 May 1992 with the Nairobi Conference for the Adoption of the
Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The Convention was opened for signature on
5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(better known as the “Rio Earth Summit"). It remained open for signature
until 4 June 1993, by which time it had received 168 signatures. The Convention
entered into force on 29 December 1993, which was 90 days after the 30th
ratification. 2018 marks the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the
Convention on Biological Diversity. Since entering into force, the Convention
has been implemented through the vision and leadership displayed by countries,
non-governmental and inter-governmental organizations, indigenous peoples and
local communities, the scientific community and individuals alike.
The results are considerable: the
development of scientific guidance for the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity for biomes around the world, the entry into force of the Cartagena
Protocol on Biosafety, the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and
the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization and
the creation and implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action
plans. After adopting the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, Parties
have made significant headway in the achievement of a number of its Aichi
Biodiversity Targets. With 196 Parties so far, the Convention on Biological
Diversity has near universal participation among countries.
Conference
of the Parties
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the
highest governing body of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The COP
brings together representatives of the Parties to the Convention along with
other key players from civil society, business, indigenous and local
communities, youth and others to review and advance the implementation of the
Convention.
To date the COP has held 15 ordinary
meetings, and one extraordinary meeting (the latter, to adopt the Biosafety
Protocol, was held in two parts). From 1994 to 1996, the Conference of the
Parties held its ordinary meetings annually; and somewhat less frequently
afterwards. Following a change in the rules of procedure in 2000, the meetings are
now held every two years. The agenda of the meetings of the COP is very
wide-ranging, reflecting the programme of work the COP has established for
itself. The thirteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 13) was
held in Cancun, Mexico, in December 2016. The Fourteenth meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (COP 14) was held in Sharm-el Sheik, Egypt in
November 2018.
- 1994 COP 1 - First Meeting
of the COP.
- 1995 COP 2
- 1996 COP 3
- 1998 COP 4
- 1999 EXCOP 1 – First
Extraordinary Meeting of the COP.
- 2000 COP 5
- 2002 COP 6
- 2004 COP 7
- 2006 COP 8
- 2008 COP 9
- 2010 COP 10
- 2012 COP 11
- 2014 COP 12
- 2016 COP 13
- 2018 COP 14- Fourteenth
Meeting of the COP
2010 COP 10- Nagoya
— 2010
was the International Year of Biodiversity and the Secretariat of the CBD was
its focal point.
— Following
a recommendation of CBD signatories during COP 10 at Nagoya in October 2010,
the UN, on 22 December 2010, declared 2011 to 2020 as the United Nations Decade
on Biodiversity.
2012 COP 11- India
— First
meeting of COP on biodiversity in
Hyderabad, India.
— Preparations
for a World Wide Views on Biodiversity has begun, involving old and new
partners and building on the experiences from the World Wide Views on Global
Warming.
2014 COP 12- Republic of Korea
— Under
the theme, "Biodiversity for Sustainable Development," thousands of
representatives of governments, NGOs, indigenous peoples, scientists and the
private sector gathered at Pyeongchang
of Republic of Korea.
— Parties
discussed the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which are to be achieved by the end of this
decade.
— The
conference gave a mid-term evaluation to the UN Decade on Biodiversity
(2011-2020) initiative, which aims to promote the conservation and sustainable
use of nature.
— Adopted
the "Pyeongchang Road Map," which addresses ways to achieve
biodiversity through technology cooperation, funding and strengthening the
capacity of developing countries.
2018 COP 14- Egypt
— Broad
international agreement on reversing the global destruction of nature and
biodiversity loss threatening all forms of life on Earth.
— Parties
adopted the Voluntary Guidelines for the design and effective implementation of
ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
— Governments
also agreed to accelerate action to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets,
agreed in 2010, from now until 2020.
— Work
to achieve these targets will take place at the global, regional, national and
subnational levels.
Subsidiary Body on Scientific,
Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is
assisted by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological
Advice (SBSTTA). SBSTTA is responsible for providing recommendations to the COP
on the technical and scientific aspects of the implementation of the
Convention. Meetings of SBSTTA include government representatives with
expertise in relevant fields, as well as observers from non-Party governments,
the scientific community, and other relevant organizations.
As
a subsidiary body of the COP, SBSTTA is to report regularly to the COP on all
aspects of its work. Its functions include: providing assessments of the status
of biodiversity; providing assessments of the types of measures taken in
accordance with the provisions of the Convention; and responding to questions
that the COP may put to the body. The
twenty-second meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and
Technological Advice takes place 2-7 July 2018.
The recommendations from this was addressed by the COP in Egypt in
November 2018.
Subsidiary
Body on Implementation
Agreed by Parties at the twelfth meeting
of the Conference of Parties in Pyeongchang in 2012, the Subsidiary Body on
Implementation is the second permanent subsidiary body (after the Subsidiary
Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice) of the Convention on
Biological Diversity. The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity established the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) to
replace the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Review of Implementation of the
Convention (which existed from 2004 to 2014 and met five times). The first
meeting of the SBI was held on 2-6 May 2016 in Montreal, Canada.
The four functions and core areas of work
of the SBI consist of: (a) review progress made in the implementation of the
Convention on Biological Diversity and the implementation of the Strategic Plan
for Biodiversity; (b) provide advice on strategic actions to enhance
implementation; (c) strengthening means of implementation; and (d) and,
reviewing the effectiveness of the operations of the Convention and the
Protocols. The second meeting of the SBI
was held on 9-13 July 2018 in Montreal, Canada. The recommendations from this was
addressed by the COP in Egypt in November 2018.
Working Group on Article
8(j)
The Working Group on Article 8(j)
addresses issues related to protection of traditional knowledge. The Convention
on Biological Diversity recognizes the
dependency of indigenous and local communities on biodiversity and the unique
role of indigenous peoples and local communities in conserving life on Earth.
This recognition is enshrined in the preamble of the Convention and in its
provisions. It is for this reason that in Article 8(j) of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, Parties have undertaken to respect, preserve and maintain
the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities
relevant for the conservation of biodiversity and to promote their wider
application with the approval of knowledge holders and to encourage equitable
sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biodiversity. Furthermore,
because of its relevance to the work of the Convention, considerations relating
to the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities are
also being incorporated in all the programmes of work under the
Convention.
The Working Group on Article 8(j) and
Related Provisions was established in 1998 by the fourth meeting of the
Conference of the Parties (COP 4). At its fifth meeting in 2000, the COP
adopted a programme of work to implement the commitments of Article 8 (j) and
to enhance the role and involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities
in the achievement of the objectives of the Convention. To date, the Working Group has met 10
times.
Nagoya
Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of
Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological
Diversity
The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
is an international agreement adopted under the auspices of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, in 2010. Its objective is the fair
and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic
resources, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity and implementing the three objectives of the CBD. The Protocol entered into force on 12 October
2014 and has been ratified by 105 Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Genetic resources, whether from plants,
animals or micro-organisms, are used for a variety of purposes ranging from
scientific research to the development of products in various sectors, such as
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, food and beverage or horticulture. For
centuries, indigenous and local communities have developed and passed on
traditional knowledge about local biodiversity. This knowledge can provide
useful leads to users of genetic resources in identifying the properties of
biological resources. Building on
Article 15 and 8(j) of the CBD, the Nagoya Protocol promotes equity between
providers and users of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge
by ensuring that access is granted on the basis of prior informed consent and
that any benefits derived from their use is shared fairly and equitably with
the provider country and indigenous and local communities, as appropriate. In
exchange for access to genetic resources or associated traditional knowledge,
the provider obtains a fair share of the benefits derived from their
utilization, whether monetary or non-monetary (e.g. sharing of research
results, technology transfer, benefits arising from the commercialization of
products based on genetic resources).
The Nagoya Protocol was adopted to provide
greater legal certainty and transparency to both providers and users of genetic
resources. A clear framework for access and benefit-sharing helps potential
users, such as research institutions or private companies, by enhancing clarity
and legal certainty when they access genetic resources in a given country. It
also benefits providers by helping to ensure benefitsharing when genetic
resources leave the provider country.
By enhancing legal certainty and promoting
benefit-sharing, the Nagoya Protocol creates incentives to conserve and
sustainably use genetic resources, and encourages the advancement of research
on genetic resources which could lead to new discoveries for the benefit of
all. The Nagoya Protocol is an
innovative environmental treaty that encompasses not only ecological, but also
social and economic aspects. Therefore, the Protocol is of particular relevance
in light of the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its
Sustainable Development Goals. Once
implemented, the Protocol can contribute to efforts towards poverty
alleviation, food security, human health, scientific research, economic growth,
innovation, and governance.
The
Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety is an
international treaty governing the movements from one country to another of
living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology, also
often referred to as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The Cartagena
Protocol establishes advance informed agreement rules and procedures for
transboundary movements of LMOs. These rules and procedures enable countries to
take informed decisions based on the risks to biodiversity before agreeing to
the import of LMOs for release into the environment. The Cartagena Protocol
also establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) to facilitate the exchange of
information on LMOs and to assist countries in the implementation of the
Protocol. The Cartagena Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Convention
on Biological Diversity. The Cartagena Protocol was adopted in January 2000 and
entered into force in September 2003. As of January 2018, 170 countries and the
European Union have become Parties to the Cartagena Protocol. The year 2018 and
the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of
the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety will thus mark the 15th
anniversary of this important instrument. Since 2010, the activities under the
Protocol have been guided by the Strategic Plan for Biosafety and discussions
on a process for a follow-up to this plan will start at the ninth meeting of
the Parties, in Egypt.
The Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur
Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety
The Nagoya - Kuala Lumpur Supplementary
Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was
adopted on 15 October 2010 and entered into force on 5 March 2018. There are 41
Parties to the Supplementary Protocol as of April 2018. Adopted as a
supplementary agreement to the Cartagena Protocol, the Supplementary Protocol
aims to contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by
providing international rules and procedures in the field of liability and
redress relating to LMOs. The Supplementary Protocol applies to damage
resulting from LMOs which find their origin in a transboundary movement.
The Supplementary Protocol provides that
Parties must require operators to take response measures in the event of damage
resulting from living modified organisms which find their origin in a
transboundary movement. Such measures must also be taken where there is a
sufficient likelihood that damage will result if timely response measures are
not taken. Parties may develop further civil liability rules in this
regard. In addition to imposing a
requirement for response measures, the Supplementary Protocol seeks that
Parties continue to apply existing legislation on civil liability or develop
specific legislation concerning liability and redress for material or personal
damage associated with damage as defined in the Supplementary Protocol.
The COP-MOPs
Protocols have a Meeting of the Parties
(MOP) as the main governing body.
Composed of all Parties to the Protocol in question, the MOP serves the
same function as set out for the Conference of the Parties (COP). At the
Convention on Biological Diversity, the two Protocols established the
Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties as their main
governing body. The Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the
Parties to the Protocol currently meets every two years in conjunction with the
regular meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological
Diversity. To date, the COP-MOP has held eight meetings
1. ICCP
Process - 2000 - 2003
2. COP-MOP
1 - 23-27 February 2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. COP-MOP
2 - 30 May-3 June 2005, Montreal, Canada
4. COP-MOP
3 - 13-17 March 2006, Curitiba, Brazil
5. COP-MOP
4 - 12 - 16 May 2008, Bonn, Germany
6. COP-MOP
5 - 11 - 15 October 2010, Nagoya, Japan
7. COP-MOP
6 - 1-5 October 2012, Hyderabad, India
8. COP-MOP
7 - 29 September - 3 October 2014, Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea
9. COP-MOP 8 - 4 December - 17 December 2016, Cancun, Mexico
Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets
The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity
2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide an agreed overarching
framework for action on biodiversity and a foundation for sustainable
development for all stakeholders, including agencies across the UN system.
Adopted at the 10th meeting of the
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, in Nagoya,
Japan in 2010, the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity has been recognized or
supported by the governing bodies of other biodiversity-related conventions,
including the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and
the World Heritage Convention, as well as the UN General Assembly.
Governments at Rio+20 affirmed the
importance of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and achieving its Aichi
Biodiversity Targets, emphasizing the role that the Strategic Plan plays for
the UN system, the international community and civil society worldwide to
achieve the world we want. It is primarily implemented by countries through
national biodiversity strategies and action plans, with Parties encouraged to
set their own national targets within the framework of the Aichi Biodiversity
Targets. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity includes a vision for 2050, five
strategic goals and twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets, mostly to be achieved by
2020. The twenty Aichi Biodiversity Targets are grouped under five strategic
goals:
1)
Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming
biodiversity across government and society
2)
Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
3)
Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and
genetic diversity 4) Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and
ecosystem services
5)
Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and
capacity building.
The
2050 Vision stresses the role of biodiversity for human wellbeing: “biodiversity
to be valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem
services, sustaining a healthy Planet and delivering benefits essential for all
people”. The Strategic Plan also includes means of implementation, monitoring,
review and evaluation as well as support mechanisms (strategy for resource
mobilization, capacity building, technical and scientific cooperation).
Biodiversity and ecosystem services are
essential to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out
an ambitious framework of universal and indivisible goals and targets to
address a range of global societal challenges. Importantly, the Strategic Plan
for Biodiversity and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are mutually
supportive and reinforcing, and therefore the implementation of one contributes
to the achievement of the other. Virtually all of the elements of the Aichi
Biodiversity Targets are reflected in the targets associated with the SDGs.
This includes the two goals (Goals 14 and 15) focused on biodiversity and
ecosystems (oceans and coasts, and terrestrial, respectively). Many other SDGs
include targets related to biodiversity and ecosystems. These include Goal 1
(poverty eradication), Goal 2 (food security), Goal 6 (water resources) and Goal
12 (sustainable consumption and production).
United
Nations Decade on Biodiversity
The goal of the United Nations Decade on
Biodiversity is to support the implementation of the Strategic Plan for
Biodiversity 2011-2020, its Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and to promote its
overall vision of Living in Harmony with Nature. The United Nations General
Assembly at its 65th session declared the period 2011-2020 to be the “United
Nations Decade on Biodiversity, with a view to contributing to the implementation
of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity for the period 2011-2020”, and requested
the Secretary-General, in consultation with Member States, to lead the
coordination of the activities of the Decade on behalf of the UN system, with
the support of the CBD Secretariat, the secretariats of other biodiversity
related conventions and relevant United Nations funds, programmes and agencies,
and invited Member States in a position to do so to contribute, on a voluntary
basis, to the funding of the activities of the Decade.
Since
the start of the Decade, encouraging actions have been taken around the world
to tackle biodiversity loss. However, based on current trends, it is clear that
pressures on biodiversity will continue to increase at least until 2020, and that
the status of biodiversity will continue to decline. This is despite the fact
that society’s responses to the loss of biodiversity are increasing
dramatically, and based on national plans and commitments are expected to
continue to increase for the remainder of this decade.
GOALS
TO ACHIEVE BY 2020
— Addressing
the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across
government and society
— Reducing
the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
— Improving
the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic
diversity
— Enhancing
the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
— Enhancing
implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and
capacity building.
%20(2).png)
0 Comments