Title: Convention on Biodiversity Secretariat.

Summary of Provisions:

The Convention on Biodiversity Secretariat fulfils various functions in relation to the operation of both the Convention on Biodiversity and its Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. These functions include:

• Organising meetings;
• Drafting documents;
• Assisting states parties in meeting their obligations;
• Coordinating with other international organisations; and
• Collecting and disseminating information. (http://www.cbd.int/convention/guide.shtml?id=web).

The Secretariat provides an online information service which "collects materials on biodiversity and biosafety published by the Secretariat, international organizations, initiatives, universities, NGOs and major publishers." (http://www.cbd.int/information/default.shtml). It also provides a daily collation of news stories, and weekly digest of relevant articles and reports through its website (http://www.cbd.int). The Secretariat also acts as a focal point for the Convention on Biodiversity's Clearing-House Mechanism and maintains the 'central portal' of the Biosafety Clearing-House of the Cartagena Protocol (these are both mechanisms for information exchange).

Summary of Development:

The 1992 United Nations Convention on the Environment and Development adopted the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention on Biodiversity Secretariat was established by Article 24 of the Convention on Biodiversity. The Secretariat is linked to the United Nations Environment Programme.

Convention on Biodiversity Secretariat
Clearing-House Mechanism
Biosafety Clearing-House

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Related Summaries on the Genomics Gateway Site:

Convention on Biodiversity

Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety

Page last updated 26th March 2009.

Comments/enquiries to catherine.rhodes-2 'at' manchester.ac.uk