The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has three equally important objectives:

• It protects biological diversity (biodiversity). This includes genetic variety among species, genetic variety within a species, and the diversity of the ecosystem.
• It envisions a sustainable use of the components of biological diversity.
• It regulates access as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources (access and benefit sharing).

The CBD is an international environmental agreement. It has 196 signatory states, including Switzerland and the European Community. The CBD has already adopted several international treaties for implementing its objectives, including the Nagoya Protocol.

The IPI is part of the delegation representing Switzerland at the CBD Conference of the Parties.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (PDF)