Biodiversity

 

 

 

The Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD

 

 

The Earth's biological resources are vital to humanity's economic and social development. As a result, there is a growing recognition that biological diversity is a global asset of tremendous value to present to future generations. At the same time, the threat to species and ecosystems has never been so great as it is today. Species extinction caused by human activities continues at an alarming rate.

 

 

 

The CBD was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of it's components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benfits arising from the use of genetic resources.

 

2010 has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the year of Biological Diversity.

 

The project offers the CBD opportunity to reflect:

 

 

  • Diversity of life and ecosystems.
  • Issues affecting biodiversity and global environmental threats.
  • Shared commitment and partnership among stakeholder groups and the international community.
  • Shared responsibility for halting the destruction of biodiversity.
  • United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
  • United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
  • International Maritime Organization
  • Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
  • UNESCO