IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

With 168 Parties signing since 1993, the Convention aims to promote "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources."

Slowing down the rate of species loss, the role of women in biodiversity, climate change and biodiversity and the economic cost of losing biodiversity, are all top agenda issues.

  Issues for in-depth consideration

• Agricultural biodiversity
• Global strategy for plant conservation
• Invasive alien species
• Forest biodiversity
• Incentive measures
• Ecosystem approach
• Progress in the implementation of the strategic plan and progress towards the 2010 target and relevant Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
• Financial Resources and the Financial Mechanism

 Other substantive issues covering the various programme areas of the Convention will also be discussed. For more information, please see the Annotated Agenda.