Convention on Biological Diversity

The United Nations "Convention on Biological Diversity" is a legally-binding agreement between countries from all around the world. Its aims are to conserve biological diversity, to use its components in a sustainable way and to share fairly and equitably between all people the benefits that can arise from the use of genetic resources.

The Convention has three main goals:

• the conservation of biodiversity

• the sustainable use of the components of biodiversity
• the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources (Access and Benefit Sharing ABS)

In recognition of the urgent need for action the United Nations General Assembly has also declared 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade for Biodiversity. The aim is to establish national biodiversity strategies and action plans within two years.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 – 2020