Introduction to the CBD Alliance

Founded after the 6^th COP in Den Haag, the Netherlands (April 2002), The Convention on Biological Diversity Alliance (CBD Alliance)is a loose network of activists and representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), social movements and Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs) advocating for improved and informed participation in CBD processes. The Alliance does not act as a representative of civil society organizations (CSOs) around the CBD, nor does it speak for the diversity of civil society’s voices. Rather, it exists in order to facilitate more diverse, coordinated, and effective civil society input into CBD policy-making and processes.

CBD ALLIANCE AT THE COP11, HYDERABAD, INDIA, 2012

The Alliance is open to all CSOs working progressively on CBD issues and is governed by a representative board, democratically selected from the community. The CBD Alliance has as its ongoing mandate and mission: to ensure the diverse and effective participation of civil society in CBD processes - which are typically the purview of global elites, and increasingly, under the influence of powerful private sector forces.This project and its funds will continue to be managed by its host organization and fiscal agent, Kalpavriksh based in Pune, India, and will be governed by the new 2011/2012 term board of the CBD Alliance.

Introduction to the Convention on Biological Diversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international treaty adopted at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD) also known as the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. The CBD has currently been signed by 193 nations (known as Parties) to combat the decline of biological diversity throughout the globe. Under the CBD framework, Parties continue to convene at what are called the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP) to review progress, identify new priorities, and to negotiate new policies/guidelines and protocols related to a variety of issues around biodiversity.

 In a world increasingly dominated by bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, the CBD is a key site of global policy-making with the potential to influence the shape of international trade regimes and guide national biodiversity conservation efforts. Given the potential for changing both international and national norms, the CBD is an important forum for civil society to participate in. For more information see www.cbd.int