International news

Due to the evolving nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has moved to hold many meetings virtually and has postponed others.

Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, at the opening of the Subregional Exchange for the Caribbean on the Restoration of Forests and Other Ecosystems, 9-13 March 2020

Subregional exchange for the Caribbean on the restoration of forests and other ecosystems

Joining the global celebration of the United Nations World Wildlife Day, representatives of UN Member States, UN System organizations, international and non-governmental organizations, rural communities and youth gathered at the UN Headquarters in New York and Geneva to mark the day at two high-level events.

Governments advance in the preparation of a New UN Biodiversity Framework; Negotiations in Rome demonstrate engagement across government and society

Statement by Ms. Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, for the opening of the Second Meeting of the Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, Monday, 24 February 2020, Rome

Over 1000 delegates from more than 140 countries started negotiations today at FAO headquarters, Rome on the zero draft of a landmark post-2020 global biodiversity framework and targets for nature to 2030.

Statement by Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, on the occasion of World Wetlands Day

Due to the ongoing situation following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus 2019, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in consultation with the Government of the People's Republic of China, the COP (Conference of the Parties) Presidency and the Co-Chairs of the Open-ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-2), has decided that the second meeting of the Working Group will take place in Rome, Italy at the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on the same dates, 24 - 29 February 2020.

Twenty years ago, on 29 January 2000, Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. The Cartagena Protocol entered into force on 11 September 2003.