Joint Liaison Group of the Rio Conventions

The Joint Liaison Group (JLG) was established in 2001 to strengthen collaboration between the secretariats of the three Rio Conventions: the CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC. The JLG promotes coordination, information exchange and joint action on shared priorities across the conventions. It brings together Executive Secretaries, scientific officers and other secretariat staff to advance integrated solutions to global environmental challenges.

Purpose and structure

At its twelfth meeting, the JLG adopted formal Terms of Reference and Modus Operandi, providing a structured framework for cooperation while preserving its informal, flexible character. Its activities are guided by mandates from the governing bodies of the three conventions and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

The JLG operates according to a set of guiding principles that ensure its work reflects its mandate and adds value without duplication. These include: prioritizing support for national-level synergies among the Rio Conventions; remaining country-driven and responsive to Parties’ needs; respecting the distinct mandates and independent status of each convention and its bodies; enhancing cost-effectiveness by building on existing efforts; and limiting activities to those feasible with available or identified resources.

Terms of Reference and Modus Operandi

Joint priorities and areas of collaboration

The JLG identifies strategic areas for collaboration where synergies can yield multiple benefits—such as climate adaptation, capacity-building, technology transfer and sustainable land management. These priorities were first outlined during its fifth meeting and further detailed in the joint paper Options for enhanced cooperation among the three Rio Conventions (FCCC/SBSTA/2004/INF.19).

In subsequent years, COP decisions guided the collaboration among the three conventions, and in 2025, the secretariats of the Rio conventions agreed on the 2025-2026 areas of collaboration.

2025-2026 areas of collaboration

Supporting Integrated Implementation

The JLG plays a central role in helping Parties integrate biodiversity, climate and land objectives through coordinated national planning and implementation. It facilitates data sharing, co-development of methodologies and improved access to technical platforms—reducing fragmentation and strengthening coherence across the conventions.

In line with this mission, the the CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC secretariats are working through the JLG to develop a joint workplan focused on priority areas with high potential for synergy. This workplan aligns with existing mandates and could contribute to a potential joint work programme of the Rio Conventions—helping Parties deliver more effective, science-informed solutions on the ground.

JLG activities directly support the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals by promoting an integrated approach to environmental governance. Through sustained collaboration, the JLG helps bridge institutional divides and accelerate transformative change across land, climate and biodiversity agendas.

Countries, corporations and communities can draw on each convention’s clear targets and principles, and agreed pathways… for action at all levels to prevent, halt and reverse land degradation and the loss of biodiversity, and mitigate and adapt to climate change

Meetings and reports

The following overview shows the various activities relevant to the implementation the CBD, UNCCD and UNFCCC that represent the main ongoing areas of collaboration, as well as areas in which additional efforts are being explored under the guidance of the Rio Conventions Joint Liaison Group (JLG). As per the JLG's guiding principles, the work is carried out within the respective mandates of each Convention and implemented within existing resources.

JLG meeting 2025-1

Summary

05 February 2025