Rio + 20 outcome recognizes importance of biodiversity for sustainable development

Rio de Janeiro 22 June 2012. The nations of the world have recognized the crucial role of biodiversity in ensuring sustainable development in the outcome document of the Rio + 20 conference and called for greater efforts to implement the Convention on Biological Diversity. The outcome document, entitled: “The Future we Want,” agreed by heads of state in Rio de Janeiro reiterated the international commitment to the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which was opened for signature at the 1992 “Earth Summit” held in Rio De Janeiro.

In keeping with this, governments affirmed the importance of implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, and its twenty Aichi targets, which were adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity at their tenth meeting in Nagoya Japan in 2010.

Noting the adoption of a new legal instrument on access and benefit-sharing for genetic resources – the Nagoya Protocol, Parties to the Convention were invited to ratify or accede to the Protocol so as to ensure its entry into force at the earliest possible opportunity. Governments recognized the need for resources and therefore welcomed the strategy for resource mobilization in support of the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity, including the commitment to substantially increasing resources from all sources in support of biodiversity.

“This document shows that the world recognizes that biodiversity is a central intertwined component of sustainable development, and further that the Convention on Biological Diversity is the tool needed to ensure that it is protected and used sustainably for all in present and future generations” said Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary for the Convention on Biological Diversity.

“I call upon governments to look at the commitments in this document and to use the opportunity of implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols, including the Nagoya Protocol, to take the actions in support of the future we want. The agenda of sustainable development agreed by heads of states at the Rio+20 shall provide an enabling environment for an effective implementation of the objectives and targets of the CBD” he said.

The document also contained references to action in oceans, forests and dry and sub humid lands that support the programmes of work of the Convention on Biological Diversity.