UN Convention on Biological Diversity

The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is one of three international environment agreements that emerged from the Rio Earth Summit held in 1992.

The other two agreements are:

  • the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and
  • the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.

Australia has been a Party to the CBD since 1993 and is committed to implementing its obligations in accordance with its national priorities.

The CBD is an international legally-binding treaty with three objectives:

  • The conservation of biodiversity;
  • The sustainable use of its components; and
  • The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Preparations are underway for a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework

This year, the CBD’s current Strategic Plan and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets will expire. At the next Conference of the Parties the CBD will adopt a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. The new framework will set new global goals and targets for biodiversity for the next ten years.

Australia's Strategy for Nature 2019-2030

The CBD provides an important framework for Australia's integration of natural resources and environment and biodiversity management policies. Since becoming a Party to the CBD over 20 years ago, the Australian Government, all States and Territories and local Government have been operating under the policy umbrella of a national biodiversity strategy.

Under the CBD all parties are required to have a national biodiversity strategy and action plan, guiding national implementation of the CBD’s Strategic Plan and its Aichi Targets.

Australia has recently reformed our national biodiversity strategy and action plan in preparation for a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Strategy. Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2019-2030 and its new digital platform, Australia’s Nature Hub, were developed jointly by the Australian Government, all state and territory governments, and the Australian Local Government Association.

National reporting

Parties are required to report on national implementation of the Convention, including the Aichi Targets, and implementation of national biodiversity strategies.

Australia's reports: