The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation addresses the challenges posed by threats to plant diversity. The overall purpose of the Strategy is to achieve the three objectives of the Convention, particularly for Plant diversity, taking into consideration Article 8(j) of the Convention and the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

The Strategy considers plants in the terrestrial, inland water and marine environments. Further, the Strategy applies to the three primary levels of biological diversity as recognized by the Convention, hence plant genetic diversity, plant species and communities and their associated habitats and ecosystems.

While the Strategy addresses the plant kingdom with main focus on higher plants, and other well-described groups such as bryophytes and pteridophytes; Parties, other Governments and other relevant stakeholders may consider developing conservation strategies for other groups such as algae and fungi (including lichen-forming species).

The implementation of the Strategy should be considered within the broader framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. Similarly, the mechanisms required to enable Parties, partners and other stakeholders to effectively implement the Convention and to monitor progress in implementation under this new Strategic Plan will be also relevant for this Strategy.

The Strategy consists of the following five objectives:

• Objective I: Plant diversity is well understood, documented and recognized;
• Objective II: Plant diversity is urgently and effectively conserved;
• Objective III: Plant diversity is used in a sustainable and equitable manner;
• Objective IV: Education and awareness about plant diversity, its role in sustainable livelihoods and importance to all life on Earth is promoted;
• Objective V: The capacities and public engagement necessary to implement the Strategy have been developed.