The Convention sets out commitments for national and international measures aimed at preserving the vital ecosystems and biological resources on which we all depend. Its three main goals are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits from the use of genetic resources.
This official Handbook, compiled by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, contains the full texts of the Convention, the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the decisions of the Conference of the Parties from 1994 to 2000. It presents all the most important information about the Convention and the Protocol, including a description of the background to the Convention and its institutional arrangements, a guide to the decisions adopted and a guide to ongoing activities in relation to particular Articles and thematic areas. Two indexes allow users to search for key terms and for particular Articles, decisions and recommendations.
The accompanying CD-Rom contains the electronic book (e-book) of the Handbook, automatically indexed and cross-referenced, with full search facilities. It also holds all the relevant background material to the Convention, linked to relevant decisions and other sources of information.
Foreword by Hamdallah Zedan * How to Use this Book * Introduction: The Operation of the Convention on Biological Diversity * Acronyms and Abbreviations * Convention on Biological Diversity * Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Biological Diversity * Rules of Procedure for Meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity * Guide to the Decisions of the Conference of the Parties * Status of Signature, Ratification, Accession, Acceptance and Approval - Convention on Biological Diversity and Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety * Declarations * Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity * Decisions of the Conference of the Parties (With Relevant SBSTTA Recommendations) * Index of Key Terms * Index of Articles, Decisions and Recommendations
"As an official document it will be an invaluable aid to researchers and academics in this area. It also makes fascinating reading for those who wish to see what is written and the language used.For teachers there is value in using this text as an example of what is being done and to show how the words of the CBD actually translate into action."
- TEG News, April 2002
"a useful summary of the operation of the Convention"
- Botanic Gardens Conservation News, June 2002
"A problem is the lack of proper understanding and uncertainties in the interpretation of the CBD and other relevant international treaties. This gap is filled by the book under review which provides a reference guide to the decisions adopted by the so-called Conference of the Parties [...] It is a well and very carefully edited book, an excellent primary source of information about these topics and is a very useful and easy to use reference manual for anyone interested in biodiversity or involved in issues surrounding the CBD."
- Journal Of Ethonopharmacology, 2002
"This book collects necessary basic texts for those who must comment upon the Biodiversity Convention."
- International Journal Of Environment And Pollution, 2002