The 2010 Target was first outlined in April 2002 by the Conference of the Parties in decision VI/26, as part of a Strategic Plan.

To assess progress in achieving the goals of the Strategic Plan and the 2010 Biodiversity Target, a framework of seven focal areas was adopted in decision VII/30 along with accompanying indicators of biodiversity status and trends, goals, and targets and refined through decision VIII/15.

The 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership coordinates the delivery and communication of the suite of indicators measuring progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target. Funds allocated by the GEF to the Partnership amount to over $3.6 million and cover activities from late 2006 to late 2009, including establishing and maintenance of the Partnership, developing and delivering the range of indicators showing progress towards the 2010 target at a global scale, implementing a communications strategy, and increasing the capacity of national governments and regional organizations to develop and use biodiversity indicators in the context of the 2010 target. Over 40 Partners, including various UN agencies, IGOs, NGOs, scientific institutions, Multilateral Environmental Agreements, and representatives of national governments, have joined forces towards the delivery and reporting of the indicators measuring progress towards 2010. The 2010 Biodiversity Indicators Partnership is coordinated by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-WCMC).