Convention on Biological Diversity
Article
1
Objectives
The objectives of this Convention, to be pursued in accordance with its relevant
provisions, are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its
components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization
of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by
appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those
resources and to technologies, and by appropriate funding.
Article
2
Use of Terms
For the purposes of this Convention:
“Biological diversity” means the variability among living organisms from all sources
including, inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological
complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species
and of ecosystems.
“Biological resources” includes genetic resources, organisms or parts thereof, populations,
or any other biotic component of ecosystems with actual or potential use or value
for humanity.
“Biotechnology” means any technological application that uses biological systems,
living organisms, or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or processes for
specific use.
“Country of origin of genetic resources” means the country which possesses those genetic
resources in in-situ conditions.
“Country providing genetic resources” means the country supplying genetic resources
collected from in-situ sources, including populations of both wild and domesticated
species, or taken from ex-situ sources, which may or may not have originated in
that country.
“Domesticated or cultivated species” means species in which the evolutionary process has
been influenced by humans to meet their needs.
“Ecosystem” means a dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro-organism communities
and their non-living environment interacting as a functional unit.
4
Convention on Biological Diversity
“Ex-situ conservation” means the conservation of components of biological diversity
outside their natural habitats.
“Genetic material” means any material of plant, animal, microbial or other origin
containing functional units of heredity.
“Genetic resources” means genetic material of actual or potential value.
“Habitat” means the place or type of site where an organism or population naturally occurs.
“In-situ conditions” means conditions where genetic resources exist within ecosystems and
natural habitats, and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings
where they have developed their distinctive properties.
“In-situ conservation” means the conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the
maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings
and, in the case of domesticated or cultivated species, in the surroundings where they have
developed their distinctive properties.
“Protected area” means a geographically defined area which is designated or regulated and
managed to achieve specific conservation objectives.
“Regional economic integration organization” means an organization constituted
by sovereign States of a given region, to which its member States have transferred
competence in respect of matters governed by this Convention and which has been duly
authorized, in accordance with its internal procedures, to sign, ratify, accept, approve or
accede to it.
“Sustainable use” means the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a
rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biological diversity, thereby maintaining
its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.
“Technology” includes biotechnology.
Article
3
Principle
States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of
international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their
own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their
jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas
beyond the limits of national jurisdiction.
