UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY

The Convention on the web: http://www.biodiv.org

At UNCED, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity was signed by 154 member countries. The main objectives of the convention were to conserve biological species, genetic resources, habitats and ecosystems; to ensure the sustainable use of biological materials; and to guarantee the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources.

"The worlds biological diversity - the variability among living organisms - is valuable for ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic reasons." With these opening remarks and the conclusion that some human activities reduce diversity the convention stresses the need to conserve it prevent its loss by providing substantial investments, which "…will pay off with a broad range of environmental, economic and social benefits." Humans should make sustainable use of world's biological diversity so as not to lead to its long-term decline.

It has to be noted, that many countries had grave reservations about the convention. The reluctance did not relate so much to the protection of habitats such as rainforests or wetlands, as to the question how the genetic wealth was to be used. Eventually, the US did not sign the convention, because it was feared that the convention would constrain US companies from accessing the genetic resources of developing countries (which was indeed an objective of the convention).

Nations that join the Convention pledge to:

+ Identify the components of biological diversity important for conservation and sustainable use, and monitor activities, which may have adverse impacts on this diversity;

+ Develop national strategies, plans or programs for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity;

+ Make conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity part of planning and policy-making;

+ Use the media and educational programs to help people understand the importance of biological diversity and need for measures to conserve it;

+ Establish laws to protect threatened species, develop systems of protected areas to conserve biological diversity, and promote environmentally sound alternative around those areas;

+ Rehabilitate and restore degraded ecosystems and promote the recovery of threatened species, helping local people to develop and carry out those remedial plans;

+ Establish means to control the risks from organisms modified by biotechnology;

+ Use environmental impact assessment, with public participation on projects that threaten biological diversity, in order to avoid or minimise damage;

+ Prevent the introduction of, control or eradicate alien species, which threaten ecosystems, habitats or species

The traditional knowledge of indigenous people in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity should be used by nations.

The Convention then continued saying that:

+ Countries are to facilitate access to genetic materials within their borders for environmentally sound use. Access will be allowed with the aim of sharing in a fair and equitable way the results of research and development and the benefits arising from the commercial and other use of genetic resources;

+ Developing countries are to have access to environmentally sound technologies that they need for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This access will be under fair and most favourable terms, and will recognise patent rights;

+ Developing countries are to have access to technology that makes use of resources they provided. They are also to have a role in biotechnological research;

+ Developing nations are to receive technical and scientific assistance, so that they can develop their own institutions and expertise in sustainable use of biological diversity;

+ Countries are to consider the need for an agreement on the safe handling and use of living organisms modified by biotechnology.

Financing of programs of the convention was to be provided by developed countries that sign the convention and shall provide new financial aid to developing countries to help them implement terms of the Convention. The initial funding will be handled by three United Nations organisations involved in environment and development.

Adopted in January 2000, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety [ text of the protocol ] addressed the potential risks posed by cross-border trade and accidental releases of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). It also regulates international trade in living genetically modified organisms. Via a Biosafety Clearing House, governments are allowed to signal whether or not they are willing to accept imports of products containing GMOs that in addition have to be clearly labelled. Socio-economic aspects may be taken into consideration in decision-making on imports. As the Protocol touches areas also covered by WTO agreements, a dispute arose on which of the agreements supersedes the other in case of conflict.