Conference of the Parties (CoP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The Convention on Biodiversity was an outcome of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (1992).

• The 3-objectives of the convention are “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.”
• Conference of Parties (CoP) is the “supreme body” of the Convention, as it is its highest decision-making authority. The CoP is held biennially. Till date (2021), 15 CoP have been held.

Important CoP Outcomes

Cartagena Protocol (CoP 5)

• On 29 January 2000, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a supplementary agreement to the Convention known as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.
• The Protocol seeks to protect biological diversity from the potential risks posed by living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology.
• It establishes an Advance Informed Agreement (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory.
• The Protocol establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House to facilitate the exchange of information on living modified organisms and to assist countries in the implementation of the Protocol.

Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) (CoP 10)

• It is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity which was adopted on 29 October 2010 in Nagoya, Japan and entered into force on 12 October 2014.
• It provides a transparent legal framework for the effective implementation of one of the three objectives of the CBD: the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
• The Nagoya Protocol sets out core obligations for its contracting Parties to take measures in relation to access to genetic resources, benefit-sharing and compliance.

Global Aichi Targets (CoP 10)

• It was also an outcome of CoP 10 where the parties decided to frame quantifiable targets for biodiversity conservation. They are set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets for the decade 2011-20. These 20 targets are categorized into 5 major Goals, which are –
  • Strategic Goal A: Address the underlying causes of biodiversity loss by mainstreaming biodiversity across government and society
  • Strategic Goal B: Reduce the direct pressures on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
  • Strategic Goal C: Improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
  • Strategic Goal D: Enhance the benefits to all from biodiversity and ecosystem services
  • Strategic Goal E: Enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building
• As per provisions of CBD, submitting national reports stating the progress is mandatory. India so far has submitted 6 status reports and is amongst the first five countries to do so.
• The National Report-6 was submitted in 2018 to provide an update of progress in achievement of India’s 12 National Biodiversity Targets developed in line with the 20 global Aichi biodiversity targets.

According to the Global Biodiversity Report-5, released in 2020, none of the 20 ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ agreed on by national governments under the CBD have been met.