The convention on biological diversity and the role of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in biodiversity research
1998
Goethem, J. van (Institut royal des sciences naturelles de Belgique, Bruxelles (Belgium). Dept. des invertebres)
In 1987, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme recognised the need to increase and streamline international efforts to protect biological diversity. After many sessions of different bodies and strong negotiations, the Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, on 5 June 1992, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Convention came into force on 29 December 1993. A brief history of the Convention and of the preliminary work which led to the First Conference of the Parties at the end of 1994 is given. The character of the Convention is briefly analysed while some definitions of biodiversity are mentioned and commented. Initiatives taken on a broad scale and with worldwide impact are summarized. Finally, many aspects of biodiversity research at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences are highlighted. In 1995, this Institute was commissioned as the Belgian National Focal Point to follow up activities for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity.
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