CBD - For the conservation of species, ecosystems, and natural resources
Taking the lead in conserving biological diversity, the Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD, focuses on the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and fair distribution of profits derived from genetic resources. All countries that have signed and ratified the Convention have committed to contributing to the joint work to achieve the objectives of the Convention.
Convention on Biological Diversity, is one of three so-called Rio conventions, adopted at the UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The other two conventions are the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, UNFCCC, and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, UNCCD.
New goals for biological diversity
In December 2022 the CBD COP15 was held in Montreal, Canada. Based on the previous strategic plan for 2010-2020, the participating countries agreed upon a new global framework and a strategic plan for biological diversity stretching to 2050, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The goals of the global framework are expected to contribute to stopping and reversing the negative trend in loss of biological diversity and the extinction of animals and plants. The framework also includes action targets for implementation measures on for example financing and participation of various stakeholders such as indigenous peoples and local communities, women, and youth. The framework includes targets and measures aimed at government, business, academia, civil society and the public.
The new framework includes four long-term goals to be reached by 2050, and 23 action targets. One of the most important goals focuses on the protection of 30 percent of the earth’s land and sea areas by 2030. Another goal states that wealthy countries will support developing countries with resources to protect biological diversity. Other goals cover areas such as the rights of indigenous peoples, sustainable use of natural resources, and sustainable production and consumption.
More information on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (cdb.int)
To ensure that the set goals and targets are achieved, the countries at COP15 also adopted a follow-up mechanism that describes how the countries will measure, monitor and report on how they are implementing the framework nationally. The basis for the follow-up consists of both mandatory and voluntary indicators to measure implementation of the framework. In addition to the goals, the follow-up mechanism and indicators for monitoring, the countries also decided on various plans and strategies for capacity-building measures, for gender mainstreaming and for financing.
More information about the main CBD COP15 decisions:
Decision 15/4 – Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Decision 15/5 – Monitoring framework for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Decision 15/6 - Mechanisms for planning, monitoring, reporting and review
CBD COP16
The Parties to the Convention met in Cali, Colombia, in October 2024 for the sixteenth Conference of the Parties (COP16). The meeting focused on decisions concerning the implementation of the global Kunming-Montreal Framework.
COP16 adopted around 20 substantive decisions, including:
- Global Action Plan on the linkages between health and biodiversity.
- Strengthening the inclusion of indigenous peoples and local communities in the work of the Convention.
- Strengthening the linkages between climate and biodiversity processes.
- Protection and sustainable use of marine areas.
- Decision on a mechanism for sharing the benefits arising from the use of digital sequence information (DSI).
Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
Several important decisions could not be adopted due to time constraints. Therefore, a resumed meeting, CBD COP16.2, was held in Rome in February 2025. The resumed meeting adopted several decisions that are important for the implementation of the global biodiversity framework:
- Resource mobilization, including an updated strategy for resource mobilization
- Final details of the monitoring framework with indicators to measure the implementation of the global Kunming-Montreal Framework
- Follow-up mechanism for reporting, monitoring and reviewing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Framework
- Cooperation with other international conventions and processes
The protocols of CBD
In the CBD there are two protocols:
- The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, also called the Biosafety protocol, aims to ensure the safe handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology that may have adverse effects on biological diversity. The protocol ensures that countries are provided with the information necessary to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their territory. The Cartagena protocol was adopted on 29 January 2000 and entered into force on 11 September 2003. The Swedish EPA is the focal point for the protocol.
More about the protocol (bch.cbd.int) - The Nagoya protocol aims at sharing the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources in a fair and equitable way. It entered into force on 12 October 2014.
More about the protocol (bch.cbd.int)
Genetic resources, Nagoya Protocol
Action Agenda Portal (cbd.int)
Decision procedure of the CBD
Every other year, the CBD, including the protocols, holds the COP, Conference of the Parties, where all countries that have ratified the convention participate, including the EU.
Three subsidiary bodies prepare the decision documents:
- Subsidiary Body for Implementation, SBI, recommends actions to accelerate the implementation of the goals and targets.
- Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice, SBSTTA, ensures that the decisions are based on a solid technical and scientific perspective. The Swedish EPA is the focal point for SBSTTA.
- Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the CBD related to indigenous peoples and local communities, which aims to strengthen the involvement and participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in all processes under the Convention.
Sweden and the CBD
Sweden signed the CBD in 1993. To a great extent we have implemented the Convention’s goals into our national environmental objectives system.
List of all Swedish contact persons for the CBD and related processes (cbd.int)
The CBD parties’ reports on their work
All country signatories to the CBD are obliged to publish regular reports on their work to contribute to the Convention’s objectives. In 2019, Sweden published its sixth national report. The next two national reports to the CBD are to be submitted in 2026 (28. Feb) and 2029 and will form the basis for a global review of progress in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Share voluntary commitments
Parties to the Convention invite actors other than national Governments (including indigenous peoples and local communities, subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, intergovernmental organizations, other multilateral environmental agreements, non-governmental organizations, women, youth, research organizations, the business and finance community and representatives of sectors related to or dependent on biodiversity) in CBD decisions 15/6 and 16/32 to develop, on a voluntary basis, commitments contributing to national biodiversity strategies and action plans and to the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to share them through CBD`s online platform:
Commitments shared before 28 February 2026 will be considered for the first global review report on collective progress towards the KM-GBF. See CBD notification 2025-132 for further guidance.