In 1992, the Convention on Biological Diversity was signed at the largest meeting
ever of world leaders, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Convention has three main goals:
· The conservation of biological diversity;
· The Sustainable use of its components;
· And the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the
utilization of genetic resources.
It recognizes for the first time, that the conservation of biological diversity
is "a common concern of humankind" and is an integral part of the
development process. It links traditional conservation efforts to the economic
goal of using biological resources sustainably. While past conservation efforts
were aimed at protecting particular species and habitats, the Convention recognizes
genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, and that humans play and integral
role in the structure and function of ecosystems. With this consideration, the
Convention recognizes that biological resources must be used in a way and at
a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity.
The Parties to the Convention regularly meet to share ideas and develop strategies to facilitate implementation of the provisions in the text of the Convention. These meetings have resulted in the development of five thematic work programmes addressing marine and coastal biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity, forest biodiversity, the biodiversity of inland waters, and dry and sub-humid lands. Additionally, Parties have recognized a number of crosscutting issues relevant across many of the thematic work programmes. Of particular importance to the marine and coastal work programme, work has been initiated on the ecosystem approach, biological indicators, taxonomy and systematics, access to genetic resources, incentive measures, environmental impact assessment, sustainable use, sustainable tourism and public education.
As an international treaty, the Convention on Biological Diversity identifies a common problem, sets overall goals and general obligations, and organizes technical and financial cooperation. However, the responsibility for achieving its goals rests largely with the countries themselves. Private industry, coastal landowners, fisherfolk, mariculture producers and recreational users take most of the actions that affect marine and coastal biodiversity. Governments need to provide leadership, particularly by setting rules that guide the use of marine and coastal resources, and by protecting biological diversity where they have direct control over marine and coastal ecosystems. Under the obligations agreed upon by the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, governments must provide the political, legislative and regulatory construct under which the conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biological diversity becomes reality.