Mandates for Cooperation

The respective Conferences of the Parties to the biodiversity-related conventions have each recognized the need for enhanced cooperation among the Conventions through their decisions, resolutions and recommendations.

Several decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity refer to strengthened cooperation or collaboration among the biodiversity-related conventions including decision XIII/24, decision XII/6, decision XI/6, decision X/20, decision X/5, decision IX/27, and decision VII/26.

Several decisions, resolutions or recommendations under the other biodiversity-related conventions refer to strengthened cooperation or collaboration among the conventions including CITES resolution Conf. 16.4, CMS resolution 10.21, ITPGRFA resolution 10/2015, ITPGRFA resolution 5/2013 and ITPGRFA resolution 6/2013, Ramsar resolution XI/6, Ramsar resolution XI.1, WHC decision 40 COM 5A and WHC decision 33 COM 5C. Decisions of the Interim Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (ICPM) of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) on the issue of cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity were taken at its sixth and seventh sessions, among others.

• The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets provide an agreed overarching framework for action on biodiversity and a foundation for sustainable development, and therefore also serves as a framework for cooperation among the biodiversity-related conventions. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 has been recognized or supported by the governing bodies of other biodiversity-related conventions and by the United Nations General Assembly.

• At its 16th meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora extended the validity of the Strategic Vision and Action Plan to 2020 and included amendments to contribute to the achievement of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and to the relevant outcomes of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Conf. 16.3, CITES Strategic Vision: 2008-2020).

• At its eleventh meeting, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals adopted the Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2015-2023 under the framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

• At its twelfth meeting, the Conference of the Parties, in resolution XII.2, approved the Ramsar Strategic Plan 2016-2024 which defines the priorities for the implementation of the Ramsar Convention with goals and targets aligned with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and its Aichi Biodiversity Targets.

• At its fourth session, the governing body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, in resolution 8/2011, noted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. The Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets are part of the framework for action under the revised Joint Work Plan between the Secretariats of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (2011-2020).

Formal agreements

In response to their respective mandates, the Biodiversity-related conventions have established a number of formal Memoranda of Cooperation or Understanding and Joint Programmes of Work/Joint Work Plans with one another. Click on the icon to read the text of the agreement.

M = memoranda of cooperation/understanding, J = joint work programme/plan, * = in development, ** = update in development