Biodiversity related Conventions
T here are a total of six multilaternal convenstions that focus on the issue of biodiversity. These are (1) Convention on Biological Diversity, (2) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora - CITES, (3)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, (4) The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, (5) Convention on Wetlands - The Ramsar Convention, and (6) World Heritage Convention - WHC.
The conventions focus on different aspects of biodiversity, including the World Heritage Convention, which highlights and designates natural heritage aassets. The conventions are global and multilateral \in scope, but is implemented by member-countries (who are signatories to the Conventions) at the local level.
| Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) |
The objectives of the CBD are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from commercial and other utilization of genetic resources. The agreement covers all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources. |
| Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) |
The CITES aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Through its three appendices, the Convention accords varying degrees of protection to more than 30,000 plant and animal species. |
| Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) |
The CMS, or the Bonn Convention aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. Parties to the CMS work together to conserve migratory species and their habitats by providing strict protection for the most endangered migratory species, by concluding regional multilateral agreements for the conservation and management of specific species or categories of species, and by undertaking co-operative research and conservation activities. |
| International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture |
The objectives of the Treaty are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security. The Treaty covers all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, while its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing covers a specific list of 64 crops and forages. The Treaty also includes provisions on Farmers' Rights. |
| Ramsar Convention on Wetlands |
The Ramsar Convention provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. The convention covers all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use, recognizing wetlands as ecosystems that are extremely important for biodiversity conservation in general and for the well-being of human communities. |
| World Heritage Convention (WHC) |
The primary mission of the WHC is to identify and conserve the world's cultural and natural heritage, by drawing up a list of sites whose outstanding values should be preserved for all humanity and to ensure their protection through a closer co-operation among nations. |
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