The UN Convention on Biological Diversity

Governing bodies 

The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the Convention’s governing body that meets every two years, or as needed, to review progress in the implementation of the Convention, to adopt programmes of work and provide policy guidance. The Cartagena Protocol and the Nagoya Protocol are governed, respectively, by the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol, and the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol (COP-MOPs).

The COP and COP-MOPs are assisted by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical, and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) and the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and other Provisions of the Convention (SB8J).

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) 

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at COP15 (December 2022), sets out an ambitious pathway to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. The KMGBF supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans to reach the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050. Among the Framework’s key elements are four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030: https://www.cbd.int/gbf

CBD and Rio synergies

The CBD works closely with UNCCD and UNFCCC to address interconnected crises affecting biodiversity, land and climate. Through the  Joint Liaison Group, the Conventions coordinate on shared priorities such as ecosystem restoration, sustainable land use and nature-based solutions. Joint initiatives include:

• Integrated ecosystem management – Combining conservation, restoration and sustainable use to maximize benefits for climate, land and biodiversity
• Knowledge sharing – Strengthening scientific cooperation and information exchange among Parties and stakeholders
• Inclusive governance – Aligning policies and actions to respect rights, promote equity and foster shared stewardship of natural resources