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Understanding Forest Ecosystems is Key for Successful Climate-Change Mitigation

Montreal, 2 December 2009 – What do western lowland gorillas and the seed of the Lopé Kola Tree (Cola lizae) have to do with climate change? According to Ian Redmond, OBE, Ambassador for the United Nations Year of the Gorilla: “More than 75 per cent of tropical trees have their seeds dispersed b ...

UN’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 New Launch Date: Tuesday, 15 September

23 August 2020 - The UN’s Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 (GBO-5), to debut Tuesday 15 September 2020, outlines a combination of achievable actions needed to protect nature, ecosystems and nature's contributions to people. The report underlines the enormous stakes for humanity involved in the succ ...

UNESCO/Convention on Biological Diversity Press Release: Preserving Biodiversity: A Vital Challenge

Paris, 22 January - Halting the unprecedented erosion of biodiversity and raising awareness of the need to change our behaviour are urgent priorities. This was the unanimous conclusion of participants at the high-level event organized at United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Orga ...

UNESCO launch of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity takes place in Paris

Montreal, 14 November 2011 – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) joined with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to launch the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity at its headquarters in Paris.

UNEP Goodwill Ambassador Gisele Bündchen Stresses the Importance of Protecting Earth’s Natural Resources in Support of the International Year of Biodiversity

Montreal, 14 July 2010 –– Gisele Bündchen, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, has recorded two short films in support of the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity. In the films, the Brazilian model speaks of the importance of protecting and conservin ...

UN treaty bodies renew partnership to save tropical forests’ rich treasure of biological resources

Pyeongchang, 13 October 2014 – The International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) – the United Nations treaty-based organization uniquely focused on tropical forests – and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) renewed a partnership agreement to enhance biodiversity c ...

UN meeting agrees decisions to advance the implementation of the International Agreement on the safe use of living modified organisms

Governments attending a United Nations meeting on the safe use of living modified organisms have agreed on various actions to advance the implementation of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity

UN issues guidelines to minimize risk of invasive species - Guidance targets pets, terrarium and aquarium species and live bait

PyeongChang/Montreal, 10 October 2014 – The Convention on Biological Diversity today adopted new guidance to tackle the introduction of invasive species as pets, aquarium and terrarium species, and as live bait and live food.

UN decades on biodiversity and desertification launched in Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa/Montreal, 27 July 2011 – The United Nations system joined together at the offices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in Addis Ababa on 22 July 2011 for the regional launch for Africa of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB) and to mark the United Nations ...

UN celebrates International Day for Biological Diversity by highlighting threat of invasive alien species

Montreal/Nairobi, 22 May 2001 – The world’s rich and irreplaceable biological heritage is under attack on many fronts, from land clearance, over-hunting and over-harvesting, pollution – and the spread of invasive alien species

UN biodiversity report identifies risks and uncertainties of novel strategies to tackle climate change

31 OCTOBER 2016 – The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has published a detailed assessment of the implications of using climate geoengineering to limit global warming. Approaches considered include the large-scale removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere, as assumed in nearly all ...

UN biodiversity meeting to discuss progress made and challenges to implement the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011 - 2020

Hyderabad / Montreal, 5 October 2012 – Governments are meeting in Hyderabad, India, from 8 to 19 October 2012, at the eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 11) to the Convention on Biological Diversity to agree on the next steps in support of implementation of the Strategic Plan ...

UN biodiversity convention opens talks on global agreement to safeguard nature and secure our future

2 September 2019 – Following a summer of dramatic heat waves and forest fires, and close on the heels of a landmark scientific report charting an unprecedented decline in nature, the global community came together from 27-30 August in Nairobi to deliberate over an appropriate response.

UN Meeting on the Safe Use of Living Modified Organisms Opens in Korea

Pyeongchang / Montreal, 29 September 2014. The seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (or COP-MOP 7) opened today at the Alpensia Convention Center in Pyeongchang, Rep ...

UN Heads call for assistance to address linked climate change, biodiversity and desertification threats

13 November 2017 – The Executive Secretaries of the Biological Diversity, Climate Change, and Desertification Conventions are calling for the establishment of a Facility to secure finance for large projects that will help to address common issues.

UN General Assembly Event to Spur Action to Stem Further Biodiversity Loss

New York, 21 September – With the continued loss of biodiversity representing a major obstacle for achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the UN General Assembly will consider strategies for speeding up the implementation of measures to protect and conserve species and ecosystems around the ...

UN Decade on Biodiversity launched at Meso-American workshop on National Biodiversity Strategies

Montreal, 16 December 2011 – Costa Rica was the host for the launch of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity for the Central American Region, setting in motion a process to build a future of life in harmony with nature. In addition to the launch, 40 participants from nine countries attended ...

UN Convention on Desertification Designates GEF as a Source of Funding for Projects in Developing Countries

Havana, Cuba, September 5, 2003 – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) has designated the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as a financial mechanism to assist developing countries in implementing the Convention. The decision was made by more than 100 countries attendi ...

UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s science body provides advice critical for next year’s UN Biodiversity Conference

1 December 2019 – The Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) subsidiary body on science suggested elements of the science base that will be used at next year’s biennial UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China that will include discussions on an ambitious, transformative and effective p ...

UN Biodiversity lead welcomes new head of Global Environment Facility

3 June 2020 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has selected Costa Rican Environment and Energy Minister Carlos Manuel Rodriguez as the next CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility.

UN Biodiversity Summit to be held September 2020 at opening of UN General Assembly

To highlight the urgency of action at the highest levels in support of a post-2020 global biodiversity framework, the President of the United Nations General Assembly will convene a Summit on Biodiversity at UN Headquarters in New York on the margins of the 75th session of the UN General Assembl ...

UN Biodiversity Lab Sets Out on a Data Mission to Protect People and Plane

UN Biodiversity Convention’s science body holds online informal session to exchange views on key biodiversity issues

Montreal, 16 February 2021 – With the participation of 2000 pre-registered participants, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) subsidiary body on science will hold an informal session on 17-19, 24-26 February to prepare for the formal meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Tec ...

UN Biodiversity Convention’s science and implementation bodies meet to lay groundwork for post-2020 global biodiversity framework negotiations

2 July 2018 – Over the next two weeks, the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) bodies on science and implementation will meet to provide further guidance on accelerated efforts to achieve the Aichi Biodiversity Targets by the end of the year 2020, and to lay the groundwork for negotiation ...

UN Biodiversity Convention’s Conference of the Parties holds three extraordinary meetings to address urgent programmatic matter for 2021

13 November 2020 – The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is hosting three extraordinary meetings to consider and approve an interim budget for 2021.

UN Biodiversity Convention to host series of webinars prior to the resumed sessions of its two subsidiary bodies and working group on post-2020 global biodiversity framework

12 January 2022 – The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will host a series of webinars to update Parties and stakeholders on new documents, the organization of work and other aspects of the resumed sessions of the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and ...

UN Biodiversity Convention postpones in-person resumed sessions of its two subsidiary bodies and working group on post-2020 global biodiversity framework

2 December 2021 – Due to the uncertainties posed by the recent emergence of the Omicron variant, and the resulting travel measures and restrictions imposed in certain countries, the resumed sessions of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s (CBD) scientific and implementation bodies, as well a ...

UN Biodiversity Convention pauses virtual meetings essential to development of post-2020 global biodiversity framework

Montreal, 14 June 2021 – Following six weeks of virtual meetings, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has completed the first part of the meetings of its scientific and implementation subsidiary bodies, essential to the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework due f ...

UN Biodiversity Convention partners with Slow Food International in celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity: Our Biodiversity, Our Food, Our Health, 22 May 2019

22 May 2019 - The Convention on Biological Diversity is pleased to partner with the Slow Food International for this year’s celebrations of the International Day for Biological Diversity, on 22 May 2019, which focuses on biodiversity as the foundation of our health and food systems.

UN Biodiversity Convention on track to develop ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework

29 May 2020 – Due the continued uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as restrictions on travel and the convening of large physical gatherings, the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24) and the third meeting ...

UN Biodiversity Convention holds virtual meetings essential to development of post-2020 global biodiversity framework

Montreal, 2 May 2021 - UN Biodiversity Convention’s two subsidiary bodies holding virtual meetings over May and June.

UN Biodiversity Convention confirms dates for subsidiary body meetings critical to development of post-2020 global biodiversity framework

Montreal, 9 April 2021– Dates and modalities have been confirmed for the twenty-fourth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-24), and the third meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-3), two meetings essential to the development o ...

UN Biodiversity Convention celebrates 25 years: Significant progress made, but more action needed to safeguard life on Earth

23 May 2018 – Opening with a traditional greeting from Charles Patton, a respected elder in the Mohawk Community of Kahnawa:ke, the 25th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was celebrated yesterday in Montreal at an event gathering together senior ...

UN Biodiversity Convention announces slogan for the 2022 International Day for Biological Diversity

31 March 2022 – With the aim of highlighting the importance of biodiversity for many sustainable development issues, this year’s slogan for the International Day for Biological Diversity, celebrated each year on 22 May, is “Building a Shared Future for all Life.”

UN Biodiversity Convention and International Treaty commit to enhanced cooperation on access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources

9 JULY 2018 – A Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) that will enhance cooperation between the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the International Treaty) was signed today on the margins o ...

UN Biodiversity Convention and Future Earth strengthen collaboration in order to aid countries in achieving global conservation goals

12 DECEMBER 2017 – The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and Future Earth today agreed to strengthen their collaboration around a number of key areas.

UN Biodiversity Convention adopts 2021 interim budget

27 November 2020 – An interim budget for the Convention on Biological Diversity for the year 2021 has been adopted.

UN Biodiversity Convention Secretariat teams up with Europe’s Bern Convention to stop the lost of biodiversity in Europe

Bonn - 22 May 2008—To support efforts to meet the 2010 global goal to reverse and stop the loss of biodiversity, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity today signed a strategic partnership with the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, known as the Bern Con ...

UN Biodiversity Conference’s extraordinary meetings to resume next week

20 November 2020 – With reference to the process and conclusion of the second extraordinary meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the first extraordinary meetings of the Conference of the Parties (COP) serving as the meeting of the Parties t ...

UN Biodiversity Conference’s High-Level Segment sees creation of Kunming Biodiversity Fund, adoption of Kunming Declaration, building political impetus for adoption of ambitious post-2020 global biodiversity framework

Montreal/Kunming, 13 October 2021 – The High-Level Segment of the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP-15) closed today with the adoption of the Kunming Declaration, where Parties to the Convention committed to develop, adopt and implement an effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework that wou ...

UN Biodiversity Conference virtual meetings to address key Cartagena Protocol Biosafety issues

Montreal, 2 May 2021 - The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity, provides international rules that seek to ensure an adequate level of protection to biodiversity and human health, focusing on transboundary movements of living modifi ...

UN Biodiversity Conference results in significant commitments for action on biodiversity

Agreements reached on actions to integrate biodiversity in forestry, fisheries, agriculture, and tourism sectors and to achieve the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development

UN Biodiversity Chief Signs Memorandum of Understanding with World Future Council

Hamburg/Montreal, 12 December 2011. Today, Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the World Future Council in Hamburg, Germany, in order to establish a framework of cooperation in promoting the implementation ...

UN Biodiversity Chief Becomes Honorary Councillor of World Future Council

Hamburg, 19 May 2011 – United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Executive Secretary Ahmed Djoghlaf has become an Honorary Councillor of the World Future Council (WFC). Using the slogan “Biodiversity is Life. Biodiversity is Our Life”, Mr. Djoghlaf was instrumental in leading the U ...

UEBT and CBD sign MOU to help stop biodiversity loss

Montreal, 18 August 2011 – In the context of the launching of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, the Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that seeks to contribute to the i ...

Two additional African countries sign the Nagoya protocol on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources

Montreal, 21 April 2011 – Seychelles and Mali have become the ninth and tenth signatories to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization.

Tunisia donates mosaic to the Museum of Nature and Culture of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Montreal, 10 November 2006 - In a gesture of support for a sustainable future, based on a respect for biological diversity and cultural diversity, the President of Tunisia, H.E. Mr. Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, has graciously donated a beautifully crafted mosaic reflecting the biological wealth of a ...

Tree Planting Initiatives Planned to Offset Environmental Impacts of Biodiversity Meetings.

Following three weeks of meetings of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, held in Curitiba, Brazil, the Governor of the State of Paraná, Mr. Roberto Requião, and the Executive Secretary of the Convention, Dr Ahmed Djoghlaf, signed an agre ...

Translating the Aichi Biodiversity Targets into National Realities: Japan Biodiversity Fund Fully Operational

Montreal, 4 April 2011 – The first in a series of regional and sub-regional capacity-building workshops to strengthen national capacities for the development, implementation, reviewing, updating, and communication of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and help facilitat ...

Training Workshop for Government Officials in the Use of the Biosafety Clearing-House Successfully Concluded

Bonn, 11 May 2008. A training workshop on the use of the Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) ended last evening with a call to mobilize additional resources to further build the capacities of developing countries in this area. More than 60 participants, including over 50 national focal points for t ...