The second meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in decision II/1, called for the preparation of a periodic report on biological diversity: the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO). It suggested that the GBO should provide a summary of the status of biological diversity and an analysis of the steps being taken by the global community to ensure that biodiversity is conserved and used sustainably, and that benefits arising from the use of genetic resources are shared equitably. The first edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook was published in November 2001.

At its sixth meeting, in decision VI/25, the Conference of the Parties welcomed the publication of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and decided that the GBO should continue to be prepared as a periodic report on biological diversity and the implementation of the Convention, and be made available in all official United Nations languages.

In decision X/2 the Conference of the Parties decided that the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO-4) would be prepared to provide a mid-term review of progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, including an analysis of how the implementation of the Convention and its Strategic Plan has contributed to the 2015 targets of the Millennium Development Goals. In the same decision the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to prepare a plan for the preparation of GBO-4 for consideration by the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA).

In recommendation XVI/2, the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice took note of the plan for the preparation of the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and requested the Executive Secretary to prepare GBO-4 on the basis of this plan.

The eleventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties, in decision XI/3, stressed the importance of national reports and their timely submission to preparing the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and urged Parties to submit their fifth national reports by 31 March 2014 at the latest. In the same decision the COP also urged Parties and invited other Governments and relevant organizations, including indigenous and local communities, to make available data, information and case-studies for possible inclusion in GBO-4. The COP also encouraged Parties and invited other Governments and relevant organizations to support Parties in providing data relevant to GBO-4 and urged Parties and invited other Governments and donors to make timely financial contributions for the preparation and production of GBO-4 in accordance with the work plan and budget estimates for their preparation;

During SBSTTA 18 Parties, through recommendation XVIII/1 welcomed the drafts of the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and the underlying technical reports and requested the Executive Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Group for the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook and the Bureau of the Subsidiary Body, to finalize the fourth edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, including the executive summary and main messages as well as the underlying technical reports, so that it can be launched during the twelfth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.