The Convention (adopted in 1982) recognised for the first time in international law that the conservation of biological diversity is “a common concern of humankind”. The agreement covers all ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
The Convention has three main goals:
- conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity)
- sustainable use of its components
- fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.
As of May 2018, 196 countries had ratified the Convention.
The New Zealand National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan expresses New Zealand’s commitment to stem the loss of biodiversity worldwide.
Preparations for a new global biodiversity framework
In October 2020, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will adopt a new global biodiversity framework, including new global goals and targets.
The first ‘zero draft’ of the framework (PDF, 475K) was released on 13 January 2020. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) invites views on the draft targets, to help inform New Zealand’s position in the next round of international negotiations on the targets under the Convention, in late February 2020.
Submissions to MFAT are due by 3 February 2020 to CBD@mfat.govt.nz.
More information:
- Development of the zero draft text of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework
- MFAT's previous public consultations on the post-2020 global framework
- DOC’s current work on New Zealand’s next biodiversity strategy
- International process to develop the new global framework
- The recent Global Assessment on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
New Zealand and the Convention on Biological Diversity
The work done by New Zealand in the CBD is listed on the New Zealand page of the CBD website. This includes information on our National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, actions taken to achieve the 2020 Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and other biodiversity activities under way in New Zealand.
The CBD web page will also includes a link to New Zealand’s latest (Sixth) National Report under the Convention on Biological Diversity, once it has been uploaded.
You can also access New Zealand’s Sixth National Report (PDF, 2099K) on this website.
Convention Bodies
To guide the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity Conservation, a governing body and a number of working groups have been established. Read the summary of these bodies below.
Matauranga Kura Taiao Fund supports tangata whenua initiatives in traditional Māori knowledge and practices in biodiversity management.