Status- Table of contents Participants Declarations Notes Chapter XXVII Previous treaty Next treaty  

8. Convention on biological diversity

Rio de Janeiro, 5 June 1992

 

Entry into force: 29 December 1993, in accordance with article 36 (1).
Registration: 29 December 1993, No. 30619.
Status: Signatories: 168 ,Parties: 190.
Text: United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 1760, p. 79; and depositary notification C.N.329.1996.TREATIES-2 of 18 March 1996 (procès-verbal of rectification of the authentic Arabic text). 

Note: The Convention was adopted by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for a Convention on Biological Diversity, during its Fifth session, held at Nairobi from 11 to 22 May 1992. The Convention was open for signature at Rio de Janeiro by all States and regional economic integration organizations from 5 June 1992 until 14 June 1992, and remained open at the United Nations Headquarters in New York until 4 June 1993.

 

 

PARTICIPANTS

Participant  Signature  Ratification, Accession (a), Acceptance (A), Approval (AA), Succession (d) 
Afghanistan  12 Jun 1992  19 Sep 2002 
Albania    5 Jan 1994 a 
Algeria  13 Jun 1992  14 Aug 1995 
Angola  12 Jun 1992  1 Apr 1998 
Antigua and Barbuda  5 Jun 1992  9 Mar 1993 
Argentina  12 Jun 1992  22 Nov 1994 
Armenia  13 Jun 1992  14 May 1993 A 
Australia  5 Jun 1992  18 Jun 1993 
Austria  13 Jun 1992  18 Aug 1994 
Azerbaijan  12 Jun 1992  3 Aug 2000 AA 
Bahamas  12 Jun 1992  2 Sep 1993 
Bahrain  9 Jun 1992  30 Aug 1996 
Bangladesh  5 Jun 1992  3 May 1994 
Barbados  12 Jun 1992  10 Dec 1993 
Belarus  11 Jun 1992  8 Sep 1993 
Belgium  5 Jun 1992  22 Nov 1996 
Belize  13 Jun 1992  30 Dec 1993 
Benin  13 Jun 1992  30 Jun 1994 
Bhutan  11 Jun 1992  25 Aug 1995 
Bolivia  13 Jun 1992  3 Oct 1994 
Bosnia and Herzegovina    26 Aug 2002 a 
Botswana  8 Jun 1992  12 Oct 1995 
Brazil  5 Jun 1992  28 Feb 1994 
Bulgaria  12 Jun 1992  17 Apr 1996 
Burkina Faso  12 Jun 1992  2 Sep 1993 
Burundi  11 Jun 1992  15 Apr 1997 
Cambodia    9 Feb 1995 a 
Cameroon  14 Jun 1992  19 Oct 1994 
Canada  11 Jun 1992  4 Dec 1992 
Cape Verde  12 Jun 1992  29 Mar 1995 
Central African Republic  13 Jun 1992  15 Mar 1995 
Chad  12 Jun 1992  7 Jun 1994 
Chile  13 Jun 1992  9 Sep 1994 
China  11 Jun 1992  5 Jan 1993 
Colombia  12 Jun 1992  28 Nov 1994 
Comoros  11 Jun 1992  29 Sep 1994 
Congo  11 Jun 1992  1 Aug 1996 
Cook Islands  12 Jun 1992  20 Apr 1993 
Costa Rica  13 Jun 1992  26 Aug 1994 
Côte d'Ivoire  10 Jun 1992  29 Nov 1994 
Croatia  11 Jun 1992  7 Oct 1996 
Cuba  12 Jun 1992  8 Mar 1994 
Cyprus  12 Jun 1992  10 Jul 1996 
Czech Republic  4 Jun 1993  3 Dec 1993 AA 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea  11 Jun 1992  26 Oct 1994 AA 
Democratic Republic of the Congo  11 Jun 1992  3 Dec 1994 
Denmark  12 Jun 1992  21 Dec 1993 
Djibouti  13 Jun 1992  1 Sep 1994 
Dominica    6 Apr 1994 a 
Dominican Republic  13 Jun 1992  25 Nov 1996 
Ecuador  9 Jun 1992  23 Feb 1993 
Egypt  9 Jun 1992  2 Jun 1994 
El Salvador  13 Jun 1992  8 Sep 1994 
Equatorial Guinea    6 Dec 1994 a 
Eritrea    21 Mar 1996 a 
Estonia  12 Jun 1992  27 Jul 1994 
Ethiopia  10 Jun 1992  5 Apr 1994 
European Community  13 Jun 1992  21 Dec 1993 AA 
Fiji  9 Oct 1992  25 Feb 1993 
Finland  5 Jun 1992  27 Jul 1994 A 
France  13 Jun 1992  1 Jul 1994 
Gabon  12 Jun 1992  14 Mar 1997 
Gambia  12 Jun 1992  10 Jun 1994 
Georgia    2 Jun 1994 a 
Germany  12 Jun 1992  21 Dec 1993 
Ghana  12 Jun 1992  29 Aug 1994 
Greece  12 Jun 1992  4 Aug 1994 
Grenada  3 Dec 1992  11 Aug 1994 
Guatemala  13 Jun 1992  10 Jul 1995 
Guinea  12 Jun 1992  7 May 1993 
Guinea-Bissau  12 Jun 1992  27 Oct 1995 
Guyana  13 Jun 1992  29 Aug 1994 
Haiti  13 Jun 1992  25 Sep 1996 
Honduras  13 Jun 1992  31 Jul 1995 
Hungary  13 Jun 1992  24 Feb 1994 
Iceland  10 Jun 1992  12 Sep 1994 
India  5 Jun 1992  18 Feb 1994 
Indonesia  5 Jun 1992  23 Aug 1994 
Iran (Islamic Republic of)  14 Jun 1992  6 Aug 1996 
Ireland  13 Jun 1992  22 Mar 1996 
Israel  11 Jun 1992  7 Aug 1995 
Italy  5 Jun 1992  15 Apr 1994 
Jamaica  11 Jun 1992  6 Jan 1995 
Japan  13 Jun 1992  28 May 1993 A 
Jordan  11 Jun 1992  12 Nov 1993 
Kazakhstan  9 Jun 1992  6 Sep 1994 
Kenya  11 Jun 1992  26 Jul 1994 
Kiribati    16 Aug 1994 a 
Kuwait  9 Jun 1992  2 Aug 2002 
Kyrgyzstan    6 Aug 1996 a 
Lao People's Democratic Republic    20 Sep 1996 a 
Latvia  11 Jun 1992  14 Dec 1995 
Lebanon  12 Jun 1992  15 Dec 1994 
Lesotho  11 Jun 1992  10 Jan 1995 
Liberia  12 Jun 1992  8 Nov 2000 
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya  29 Jun 1992  12 Jul 2001 
Liechtenstein  5 Jun 1992  19 Nov 1997 
Lithuania  11 Jun 1992  1 Feb 1996 
Luxembourg  9 Jun 1992  9 May 1994 
Madagascar  8 Jun 1992  4 Mar 1996 
Malawi  10 Jun 1992  2 Feb 1994 
Malaysia  12 Jun 1992  24 Jun 1994 
Maldives  12 Jun 1992  9 Nov 1992 
Mali  30 Sep 1992  29 Mar 1995 
Malta  12 Jun 1992  29 Dec 2000 
Marshall Islands  12 Jun 1992  8 Oct 1992 
Mauritania  12 Jun 1992  16 Aug 1996 
Mauritius  10 Jun 1992  4 Sep 1992 
Mexico  13 Jun 1992  11 Mar 1993 
Micronesia (Federated States of)  12 Jun 1992  20 Jun 1994 
Moldova  5 Jun 1992  20 Oct 1995 
Monaco  11 Jun 1992  20 Nov 1992 
Mongolia  12 Jun 1992  30 Sep 1993 
Montenegro1    23 Oct 2006 d 
Morocco  13 Jun 1992  21 Aug 1995 
Mozambique  12 Jun 1992  25 Aug 1995 
Myanmar  11 Jun 1992  25 Nov 1994 
Namibia  12 Jun 1992  16 May 1997 
Nauru  5 Jun 1992  11 Nov 1993 
Nepal  12 Jun 1992  23 Nov 1993 
Netherlands2  5 Jun 1992  12 Jul 1994 A 
New Zealand  12 Jun 1992  16 Sep 1993 
Nicaragua  13 Jun 1992  20 Nov 1995 
Niger  11 Jun 1992  25 Jul 1995 
Nigeria  13 Jun 1992  29 Aug 1994 
Niue    28 Feb 1996 a 
Norway  9 Jun 1992  9 Jul 1993 
Oman  10 Jun 1992  8 Feb 1995 
Pakistan  5 Jun 1992  26 Jul 1994 
Palau    6 Jan 1999 a 
Panama  13 Jun 1992  17 Jan 1995 
Papua New Guinea  13 Jun 1992  16 Mar 1993 
Paraguay  12 Jun 1992  24 Feb 1994 
Peru  12 Jun 1992  7 Jun 1993 
Philippines  12 Jun 1992  8 Oct 1993 
Poland  5 Jun 1992  18 Jan 1996 
Portugal3  13 Jun 1992  21 Dec 1993 
Qatar  11 Jun 1992  21 Aug 1996 
Republic of Korea  13 Jun 1992  3 Oct 1994 
Romania  5 Jun 1992  17 Aug 1994 
Russian Federation  13 Jun 1992  5 Apr 1995 
Rwanda  10 Jun 1992  29 May 1996 
Saint Kitts and Nevis  12 Jun 1992  7 Jan 1993 
Saint Lucia    28 Jul 1993 a 
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines    3 Jun 1996 a 
Samoa  12 Jun 1992  9 Feb 1994 
San Marino  10 Jun 1992  28 Oct 1994 
Sao Tome and Principe  12 Jun 1992  29 Sep 1999 
Saudi Arabia    3 Oct 2001 a 
Senegal  13 Jun 1992  17 Oct 1994 
Serbia5  8 Jun 1992  1 Mar 2002 
Seychelles  10 Jun 1992  22 Sep 1992 
Sierra Leone    12 Dec 1994 a 
Singapore  10 Mar 1993  21 Dec 1995 
Slovakia  19 May 1993  25 Aug 1994 AA 
Slovenia  13 Jun 1992  9 Jul 1996 
Solomon Islands  13 Jun 1992  3 Oct 1995 
South Africa  4 Jun 1993  2 Nov 1995 
Spain  13 Jun 1992  21 Dec 1993 
Sri Lanka  10 Jun 1992  23 Mar 1994 
Sudan  9 Jun 1992  30 Oct 1995 
Suriname  13 Jun 1992  12 Jan 1996 
Swaziland  12 Jun 1992  9 Nov 1994 
Sweden  8 Jun 1992  16 Dec 1993 
Switzerland  12 Jun 1992  21 Nov 1994 
Syrian Arab Republic  3 May 1993  4 Jan 1996 
Tajikistan    29 Oct 1997 a 
Thailand  12 Jun 1992  31 Oct 2003 
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia    2 Dec 1997 a 
Timor-Leste    10 Oct 2006 a 
Togo  12 Jun 1992  4 Oct 1995 A 
Tonga    19 May 1998 a 
Trinidad and Tobago  11 Jun 1992  1 Aug 1996 
Tunisia  13 Jun 1992  15 Jul 1993 
Turkey  11 Jun 1992  14 Feb 1997 
Turkmenistan    18 Sep 1996 a 
Tuvalu  8 Jun 1992  20 Dec 2002 
Uganda  12 Jun 1992  8 Sep 1993 
Ukraine  11 Jun 1992  7 Feb 1995 
United Arab Emirates  11 Jun 1992  10 Feb 2000 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland4  12 Jun 1992  3 Jun 1994 
United Republic of Tanzania  12 Jun 1992  8 Mar 1996 
United States of America  4 Jun 1993   
Uruguay  9 Jun 1992  5 Nov 1993 
Uzbekistan    19 Jul 1995 a 
Vanuatu  9 Jun 1992  25 Mar 1993 
Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)  12 Jun 1992  13 Sep 1994 
Viet Nam  28 May 1993  16 Nov 1994 
Yemen  12 Jun 1992  21 Feb 1996 
Zambia  11 Jun 1992  28 May 1993 
Zimbabwe  12 Jun 1992  11 Nov 1994 
 

 

DECLARATIONS

Declarations

(Unless otherwise indicated, the declarations were made

upon ratification, accession, acceptance or approval.)

Argentina

Declaration:

The Argentine Government considers that this Convention represents a step forward in that it establishes among its objectives the sustainable use of biological diversity. Likewise, the definitions contained in article 2 and other provisions of the Convention indicate that the terms "genetic resources", "biological resources" and "biological material" do not include the human genome. In accordance with the commitments entered into in the Convention, the Argentine Nation will pass legislation on the conditions of access to biological resources and the ownership of future rights and benefits arising from them. The Convention is fully consistent with the principles established in the "Agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights", including trade in counterfeit goods, contained in the Final Act of the Uruguay Round of GATT.

Austria

Declaration:

"The Republic of Austria declares in accordance with article 27, paragraph 3 of the Convention that it accepts both of the means of dispute settlement mentioned in this paragraph as compulsory in relation to any Party accepting an obligation concerning one or both of these means of dispute settlement."

Chile

Declaration:

The Government of Chile, on ratifying the Convention on Biological Diversity of 1992, wishes to place on record that the pine tree and other species that the country exploits as one of its forestry resources are considered exotic and are not taken to fall within the scope of the Convention.

Cuba

Declaration:

The Government of the Republic of Cuba declares, with respect to article 27 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, that as far as the Republic of Cuba is concerned, disputes that arise between Parties concerning the interpretation or applica- tion of this international legal instrument shall be settled by negotiation through the diplomatic channel or, failing that, by arbitration in accordance with the procedure laid down in Annex II on arbitration of the Convention.

European Community

Declaration:

"Within their respective competence, the European Com- munity and its Member States wish to reaffirm the importance they attach to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biologi- cal diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.

For the European Community and its member States, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.

The European Community and its Member States will en- courage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by European operators, in particular as re- gards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effec- tive protection of property rights."

France

Upon signature:

Declaration:

With reference to article 3, that it interprets that article as a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention;

With reference to article 21, paragraph 1, that the decision taken periodically by the Conference of the Parties concerns the "amount of resources needed" and that no provision of the Convention authorizes the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature or frequency of the contributions from Parties to the Convention.

Upon ratification:

Declaration:

With reference to article 3, that it interprets that article as a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention;

The French Republic reaffirms its belief in the importance of the transfer of technology and biotechnology in guaranteeing the protection and long-term utilization of biological diversity. Respect for intellectual property rights is an essential element of the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.

The French Republic affirms that the transfer of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be implemented according to article 16 of that Convention and with respect for the principles and rules concerning the protection of intellectual property, including multilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to the present Convention.

The French Republic will encourage recourse to the financial mechanism established by the Convention for the purpose of promoting the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights under French ownership, inter alia, as regards the granting of licences, by traditional commercial decisions and mechanisms while ensuring the appropriate and effective protection of property rights.

With reference to article 21, paragraph 1, the French Republic considers that the decision taken periodically by the Conference of the Parties concerns the "amount of resources needed" and that no provision of the Convention authorizes the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature or frequency of the contributions from Parties to the Convention.

Georgia

Declaration:

"The Republic of Georgia will use both means for dispute settlement referred to in the Convention:

1. Arbitral consideration in accordance with the procedure given in the enclosure II, Part I.

2. Submitting of disputes to the International Court."

Ireland

Declaration:

"Ireland wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.

For Ireland, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the contracting parties to this Convention.

Ireland will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Irish operators, in particular as regards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights."

Italy

Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratifica- tion:

"The Italian Government [. . .] declares its understanding that the decision to be taken by the Conference of the Parties under article 21.1 of the Convention refers to the `amount of resources needed' by the financial mechanism, not to the extent or nature and form of the contributions of the Contracting Parties."

Latvia

Declaration:

"The Republic of Latvia declares in accordance with article 27 paragraph 3 of the Convention that it accepts both the means of dispute settlement mentioned in this paragraph as compulsory."

Liechtenstein

Declaration:

"The Principality of Liechtenstein wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.

For the Principality of Liechtenstein, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the [said] Convention, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.

The Principality of Liechtenstein will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Liechtenstein operators, in particular as regards the granting of licenses, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights."

Papua New Guinea

Declaration:

"The Government of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea declares its understanding that ratification of the Con- vention shall in no way constitute a renunciation of any rights under International Law concerning State responsibility for the adverse effects of Biological Diversity as derogating from the principles of general International Law."

Sudan

Understanding:

"With respect to the principle stipulated in article 3, the Government of the Sudan agrees with the spirit of the article and interprets it to mean that no state is responsible for acts that take place outside its control even if they fall within its judicial jurisdiction and may cause damage to the environment of other states or of areas beyond the limits of national judicial jurisdiction."

"The Sudan also sees as regards article 14 (2), that the issue of liability and redress for damage to biological diversity should not form a priority to be tackled by the Agreement as there is ambiguity regarding the essence and scope of the studies to be carried out, in accordance with the above-mentioned article. The Sudan further believes that any such studies on liability and redress should shift towards effects of areas such as biotechnology products, environmental impacts, genetically modified organisms and acid rains."

Switzerland

Upon signature:

Declaration:

The Swiss Government wishes to emphasize particularly the progress made in establishing standard terms for cooperation between States in a very important field: research activities and activities for the transfer of technology relevant to resources from third countries.

The important provisions in question create a platform for even closer cooperation with public research bodies or institutions in Switzerland and for the transfer of technologies available to governmental or public bodies, particularly universities and various publicly-funded research and development centres.

It is our understanding that genetic resources acquired under the procedure specified in article 15 and developed by private research institutions will be the subject of programmes of cooperation, joint research and the transfer of technology which will respect the principles and rules for the protection of intellectual property.

These principles and rules are essential for research and private investment, in particular in the latest technologies, such as modern biotechnology which requires substantial financial outlays. On the basis of this interpretation, the Swiss Government wishes to indicate that it is ready, at the opportune time, to take the appropriate general policy measures, particularly under articles 16 and 19, with a view to promoting and encouraging cooperation, on a contractual basis, between Swiss firms and the private firms and governmental bodies of other Contracting Parties.

With regard to financial cooperation, Switzerland interprets the provisions of articles 20 and 21 as follows: the resources to be committed and the management system will have regard, in an equitable manner, to the needs and interests of the developing countries and to the possibilities and interests of the developed countries.

Upon ratification:

Declaration:

Switzerland wishes to reaffirm the importance it attaches to transfers of technology and to biotechnology in order to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity The compliance with intellectual property rights constitutes an essential element for the implementation of policies for technology transfer and co-investment.

For Switzerland, transfers of technology and access to biotechnology, as defined in the text of the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be carried out in accordance with article 16 of the said Convention and in compliance with the principles and rules of protection of intellectual property, in particular multilateral and bilateral agreements signed or negotiated by the Contracting Parties to this Convention.

Switzerland will encourage the use of the financial mechanism established by the Convention to promote the voluntary transfer of intellectual property rights held by Swiss operators, in particular as regards the granting of licences, through normal commercial mechanisms and decisions, while ensuring adequate and effective protection of property rights.

Syrian Arab Republic

Upon signature:

Declaration:

It is being understood that the signing of this Convention shall not constitute recognition of Israel or leading to any inter- course with it.

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Declaration made upon signature and confirmed upon ratifica- tion:

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland declare their understanding that article 3 of the Convention sets out a guiding principle to be taken into account in the implementation of the Convention.

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland also declare their understanding that the decisions to be taken by the Conference of the Parties under paragraph 1 of article 21 concern "the amount of resources needed" by the financial mechanism, and that nothing in article 20 or 21 authorises the Conference of the Parties to take decisions concerning the amount, nature, frequency or size of the contributions of the Parties under the Convention.

 

 

NOTES

1. See note 1 under "Montenegro" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.

2. On 4 June 1999: for the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba

3. On 28 June 1999, the Government of Portugal informed the Secretary-General the the Convention would also apply to Macau.

Subsequently, the Secretary-General received the following communications on the dates indicated hereinafter:

Portugal (9 December 1999):

"In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the Portuguese Republic and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Question of Macau signed on 13 April 1987, the Portuguese Republic will continue to have international responsibility for Macau until 19 December 1999 and from that date onwards the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999.

From 20 December 1999 onwards the Portuguese Republic will cease to be responsible for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to Macau."

China (15 December 1999):

In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Portugal on the Question of Macau (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Declaration), the Government of the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Macau with effect from 20 December 1999. Macau will, from that date, become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.

In this connection, [the Government of the People's Republic of China informs the Secretary-General of the following]:

The Convention on Biological Diversity, done at Nairobi on 5 June 1992 (hereinafter referred to as the "Convention"), to which the Government of the People's Republic of China deposited the instrument of ratification on 5 January 1993, will apply to the Macau Special Administrative Region with effect from 20 December 1999.

The Government of the People's Republic of China will assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Convention to the Macau Special Administrative Region.

4. In respect of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Gibraltar, St. Helena and St. Helena Dependencies.

5. See note 1 under "former Yugoslavia" and note 1 under "Yugoslavia" in the "Historical Information" section in the front matter of this volume.