WORLD TRADE WT/CTE/W/44
20March 1997
ORGANIZATION(97-1152)
Committee onTrade andEnvironment
MULTILATERAL ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS:
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Note bytheSecretariat
ThisNote provides Members oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment withanupdate
oftherecent developments inthecontext oftheConvention onBiological Diversity andtheMontreal
Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete theOzone Layer.
I. CONVENTION ONBIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
Thethirdmeeting oftheConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity
washeldinBuenos Aires (Argentina), from 4to15November 1996. TheConference adopted
twenty-seven Decisions.1Four ofthem contain explicit reference totheWTO (Decision III/11 on
"Conservation andsustainable useofagricultural biological diversity", Decision III/14 on
"Implementation ofArticle 8(j)",Decision III/15 on"Access togenetic resources", Decision III/17
on"Intellectual property rights"). TheNote alsoprovides thetextofcertain Decisions which may
beofadditional interest toMembers inviewofthediscussions heldsofarintheCTE.
Thefourth meeting oftheConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity
willtakeplace inBratislava (Slovakia), from4to15May1998. Thework programme forthismeeting
willinclude, interalia,measures forimplementing theConvention, matters related tobenefit-sharing,
measures topromote andadvance thedistribution ofbenefits frombiotechnology inaccordance with
Article 19,anoverall review ofthework donetodate,andconsideration toalonger-term programme
ofwork (Decision III/22, "Medium-term programme ofwork for1996-1997").
1Doc.UNEP/CBD/COP/3/38 (11February 1997). Seealsodocument WT/CTE/W/18 (12January 1996), which reports onthesecond
meeting oftheConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity.WT/CTE/W/44
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Textofcertain decisions taken bythethirdConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological
Diversity:
DECISION III/4: CLEARING -HOUSE MECHANISM TOPROMOTE AND FACILITATE TECHNICAL AND SCIENTIFIC
COOPERATION2
TheConference oftheParties,
RecallingdecisionI/3oftheConferenceofParties,thataclearing-housemechanismshouldbeestablished,
inaccordance withArticle 18,paragraph 3,oftheConvention, topromote andfacilitate technical andscientific
cooperation,
Recalling alsodecision II/3oftheConference ofParties onthedevelopment oftheclearing-house
mechanism through theestablishment ofapilotphase for1996-1997 andrelated activities topromote technical
andscientific cooperation,
Having examined thenotebytheExecutive Secretary, contained indocument UNEP/CBD/COP/3/4,
which emphasizes themain features oftheoperational framework ofthepilot phase oftheclearing-house
mechanism, namely, information linking andorganization, visualization andthedecision support function,
Noting thatprogress made todateintheimplementation ofthepilotphase hasproduced valuable insights
astothefuture development oftheclearing-house mechanism andconcerned thatitisnowtimeforthese initial
experiences tobebrought together andadvanced inasystematic manner soastoensure thattheclearing-house
mechanism isexpeditiously implemented inaccordance withtheexpectations oftheParties,
Noting also:
(a) Thecrucialpartplayedbytechnicalandscientificcooperationonallaspectsofbiologicaldiversity,
including taxonomy andtransfer oftechnology, inensuring thecapacity oftheclearing-house mechanism toplay
animportant roleintheimplementation oftheConvention;
(b) Theneed fortheclearing-house mechanism tobeclearly focused ontheimplementation of
theConvention;
(c) Theneedfortheclearing-housemechanismactivitiestoincludeinformationexchangemodalities
additional totheInternet toensure theparticipation ofParties without Internet access;
(d) Theneedforcapacity-building forthepurposes oftheclearing-house mechanism indeveloping
countries, including training oninformation systems technologies thatwillallow developing countries totake
advantage oftherecent developments inelectronic communication, including theInternet;
(e) Theadvantages ofcountry-driven pilot projects focused onpriority areas identified bythe
Conference ofParties which would enable developing countries tobegin toimplement themain features ofthe
pilot phase oftheclearing-house mechanism,
1. Decides thatthepilotphase approved initsdecision II/3shall beextended forafurther year,
until December 1998;
2. Requests theGlobal Environment Facility tosupport theactivities referred toinparagraphs
(d)and(e)above ascritical components intheimplementation oftheclearing-house mechanism atthenational,
subregional andregional levels, including inthepilot phase;
2SeealsoDecision III/5"Additional guidance tothefinancial mechanism", Decision III/6"Additional financial resources", Decision III/7
"Guidelines forthereview oftheeffectiveness ofthefinancial mechanism", andDecision III/8"Memorandum ofunderstanding between
theConference oftheParties totheConvention onBiological Diversity andtheCouncil oftheGlobal Environment Facility".WT/CTE/W/44
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3. Further requests theinterim financial mechanism toimplement itsrevised operational criteria
forenabling activities inrelation totheclearing-house mechanism togiveeffect, asquickly aspossible, tothe
recommendations contained inparagraph 2above;
4. Alsorequests Governments andother bilateral andmultilateral funding institutions, asfaras
possible andasappropriate, toprovide funding forcapacity-building related totheimplementation oftheclearing-
house mechanism;
5. Requests Governments andrelevant financial, scientific andtechnical institutions tofacilitate,
including through theprovision ofvoluntary contributions, regional workshops withaview toattaining aclear
definition ofcountry andregional-level scientific andtechnical information needs andpriorities identified and
modalities todeliver information andevaluate national capacities fortheimplementation oftheConvention.
Suchworkshops should alsoreview experience inscientific andtechnical cooperation insupport oftheobjectives
oftheConvention, inorder toidentify ways bywhich theclearing-house mechanism canbestfacilitate such
cooperation;
6. Emphasizes thatthekeycharacteristics oftheclearing-house mechanism are,inter alia,that
itshould becompatible withnational capacities, needs-driven anddecentralized innature, should provide access
tometa-data, should provide support tothedecision-making process, andshould totheextent possible involve
theprivate sector;
7. Recommends thattheclearing-house mechanism should disseminate, inaddition toscientific
andtechnical information, information onpolicy andmanagement issues relevant totheimplementation ofthe
Convention;
8. Endorses theproposal oftheSecretariat forthepublication ofaclearing-house mechanism
newsletter;
9. Recognizesthatownershipofallinformationmadeavailablethroughtheclearing-housemechanism
shall remain withtheprovider oftheinformation;
10. Agrees thattheclearing-house mechanism shall beassisted initsfunctioning byaninformal
advisory committee, constituted andcoordinated bytheExecutive Secretary inatransparent manner, which will
guide andintegrate thedevelopment ofthepilot phase activities andendeavour toensure thatallParties can
participate inthepilot phase oftheclearing-house mechanism;
11. Recommen dsthatoneimportantroleoftheclearing-housemechanismatthenationallevelshould
betoprovide relevant information linkages tothenational focal points andrelevant thematic focal points, in
order tofacilitate thefairandequitable sharing ofthebenefits arising outoftheutilization ofgenetic resources.
Linkages topatent offices ineachcountry forup-to-date information onnewpatent registrations andpatents in
thepublic domain provide anexample ofonemechanism;
12. Recommends thatthework oftheclearing-house mechanism attheinternational level focus
onproviding thematic focal points forlinking totheactivities atthenational andregional level;
13. Recognizesthatclosecooperationisneededwithotherconventionsandagreemen ts,andrequests
theSecretariat toidentify those activities andorganizations which could support theclearing-house mechanism,
andtoprovide appropriate advice totheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice at
itsnextmeeting;
14. Recognizes theroleoftheSecretariat inthecoordination ofthesuccessful implementation of
theclearing-house mechanism, andrecommends thattheclearing-house mechanism posts within theSecretariat
should befilled assoon aspossible;
15. Requests allParties todesignate theirclearing-house mechanism national focal points andmake
them operational assoon aspossible;WT/CTE/W/44
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16. Requests those Parties with access totheInternet toconnect their national clearing-house
mechanism homepage totheSecretariat ’sclearing-house mechanism homepage ontheInternet, where possible,
andfurther requests theExecutive Secretary andpartners tocollaborate ontheprovision ofadvice toParties
andothers on,inter alia,thenecessary layout andsystem specifications.
DECISION III/9: IMPLEMENTATION OFARTICLES 6AND 8OFTHE CONVENTION
TheConference oftheParties,
Reaffirming thegreat importance ofthedevelopment andimplementation byallParties ofnational
strategies, plans andprogrammes inaccordance withArticle 6oftheConvention,
Welcoming thework already undertaken bytheParties inimplementing Article 6,
Recalling paragraph 5ofdecision II/6,inwhich theConference oftheParties requested theinterim
institutional structure operating thefinancial mechanism tofacilitate urgent implementation ofArticle 6ofthe
Convention bymaking available todeveloping country Parties financial resources forprojects inaflexible and
expeditious manner,
Recalling alsothatindecision II/17 theConference oftheParties decided thatthefirstnational reports
byParties would focus insofaraspossible onmeasures taken fortheimplementation ofArticle 6,
Reaffirming thatArticle 8oftheConvention setsoutaclear framework ofthenecessary elements for
insituconservation, which should beaddressed inacoherent manner,
Noting thatthereduction inthenumber ofspecies andthefragmentation anddegradation ofecosystems
andhabitatscallnotonlyforconservationbutalsoforinteraliasustainableuseandrestorationofhabitats,including
theirbiological diversity components, together withother measures provided forbyArticle 8oftheConvention,
Notingtheconclusionsandrecommen dationsoftheUnitedNations-NorwayConferenceonAlienSpecies,
Trondheim, Norway, 1-5July1996, andsuggesting thatParties may wish tousethese results intheir
implementation ofArticle 8(h)oftheConvention,
Believing thatacentral roleoftheclearing-house mechanism should bethesharing ofexperiences and
dissemination ofinformation relevant toArticles 6and8,
Emphasizing thatthecompilation anddissemination under theConvention ofinformation relevant to
theimplementation ofArticles 6and8should complement andenhance existing efforts, rather thanduplicate
them,
1. StressestheneedforPartiestoensurethecross-bordercoordinationoftheirrespectivestrategies,
onabilateral aswellasonaregional basis;
2. Urges Parties toinclude intheir national plans orstrategies andlegislation measures for:
(a) Theconservation ofbiological diversity bothinsituandexsitu;
(b) Theintegration ofbiological diversity objectives inrelevant sectoral policies inorder toachieve
conservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity;
(c) Theequitable sharing ofbenefits arising outoftheuseofgenetic resources;
3. Further urges Parties tosubmit their firstnational reports ontime;
4. RequeststheinterimfinancialmechanismundertheConventiontomakeavailabletodeveloping
country Parties resources toenable them tofacilitate urgent implementation ofparagraphs 2and3above;WT/CTE/W/44
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5. Encourages allParties tosetmeasurable targets inorder toachieve biological diversity
conservation andsustainable useobjectives;
6. Requests Parties totakeaction toachieve therestoration ofhabitats, including theirbiological
diversity components;
7. Requests theExecutive Secretary toexplore ways ofenhancing thecollection anddissemination
toParties ofinformation ontheimplementation ofArticles 6and8byinvolving inamore regular andsystematic
fashion organizations already concerned withthecollection anddissemination ofsuch information;
8. Requests theExecutive Secretary toprepare apaper forconsideration bythenextmeeting of
theSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice, identifying existing conventions and
other international agreements relevant totheimplementation ofthevarious paragraphs ofArticle 8;
9. Recommen dsthedevelopmentofathematicapproachinthefurthercompilationanddissemination
ofinformation ontheimplementation ofArticles 6and8andcommends theinclusion ofthefollowing work
areas within thisapproach:
(a) Methodologies toevaluate andmitigate threats tobiological diversity;
(b) Ways tosuppress ormitigate perverse ornegative incentives having adeleterious effect on
biological diversity;
(c) Alien species; and
(d) Protected areas;
10. Encourages theScientific Committee onProblems oftheEnvironment andtheInvasive Species
Specialist Group oftheWorld Conservation Union tocontinue theirefforts todevelop aglobal strategy andaction
plantodealwiththeproblem ofalien invasive species;
11. Decides thatthefirstnational reports referred toindecision II/17 should besubmitted nolater
than1January 1998, taking intoaccount decision III/25 ofthethird meeting oftheConference oftheParties
onthedateandvenue ofitsnextmeeting.
DECISION III/11: CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OFAGRICULTURAL BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
TheConference oftheParties,
Recalling resolution 3oftheNairobi Final Act,
Also recalling decisions II/15 andII/16 ofthesecond meeting oftheConference oftheParties,
Further recalling recommendation II/7ofthesecond meeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific,
Technical andTechnological Advice related toagricultural biological diversity,
Welcoming theoutcome ofthefourth International Technical Conference ontheConservation and
Sustainable Utilization ofPlant Genetic Resources forFood andAgriculture, heldinJune 1996 inLeipzig, and
taking noteofthefollow-up process agreed inLeipzig andoftheperiodic updating ofthereport ontheState
oftheWorld'sPlantGeneticResourcesforFoodandAgricultureandtheGlobalPlanofActionfortheConservation
andSustainable Utilization ofPlant Genetic Resources forFood andAgriculture bytheFood andAgriculture
Organization oftheUnited Nations, aswellastheimplementation oftheGlobal Plan ofAction,
Considering theimportance ofbiological diversity foragriculture andtaking noteoftheinterrelationship
ofagriculture withbiological diversity asdetailed inthebasis foraction attached hereto asAnnex 1,WT/CTE/W/44
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BelievingthatthefieldofagricultureoffersauniqueopportunityfortheConventiononBiologicalDiversity
tolinkconcerns regarding biological diversity conservation andsharing ofbenefits arising from theuseofgenetic
resources withthemainstream economy, taking intoaccount theneed forabalanced development ofthethree
objectives oftheConvention,
Recognizing theclose relationship between agriculture andbiological andcultural diversity andthat
theConference oftheParties hasaclear roleandmandate toaddress issues relating toagricultural biological
diversity within theframework oftheConvention onBiological Diversity,
Further recognizing agricultural biological diversity asafocal areainview ofitssocial andeconomic
relevance andtheprospects offered bysustainable agriculture forreducing thenegative impacts onbiological
diversity, enhancing thevalue ofbiological diversity andlinking conservation efforts withsocial andeconomic
benefits,
Urging theexpeditious provision offunds from appropriate sources necessary fortheimplementation
ofthisdecision,
Recognizing thattraditional farming communities andtheiragricultural practices havemade asignificant
contributiontotheconservationandenhancemen tofbiodiversityandthatthesecanmakeanimportantcontribution
tothedevelopment ofenvironmentally sound agricultural production systems,
Recognizing alsothattheinappropriate useofandexcessive dependence onagrochemicals hasproduced
substantial negative effects onterrestrial systems, including soil,coastal andaquatic organisms, thusaffecting
biological diversity indifferent ecosystems,
Reaffirming thesovereign rights ofStates over their owngenetic resources, including their genetic
resources forfood andagriculture,
Urging Parties toestablish ormaintain means toregulate, manage orcontrol therisks associated with
theuseandrelease ofliving modified organisms resulting from biotechnology which arelikely tohave adverse
environmental impacts thatcould affect theconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity, taking also
intoaccount therisks tohuman health,
ConsideringthatitsactivitiesinthisfieldrelatingtotheimplementationofArticle6(b)oftheConvention
should focus ontheinterface between agricultural sustainability andenvironmental issues andshould promote
theintegration ofsocial, economic andenvironmental objectives andfacilitate thedevelopment ofsolutions to
problems relating toagricultural biological diversity inthecontext oftheConvention 'sprovisions,
Further considering thatthecontributions ofconservation andsustainable useofagricultural biological
diversity tosustainable agriculture should beakeyfocal areawithin thecontext ofterrestrial, freshwater and
marinebiologicaldiversity,tobepursuedincollaborationwith,andwiththecooperationandinitiativeof,relevant
international organizations thusavoiding duplication,
1. Decides toestablish amulti-year programme ofactivities onagricultural biological diversity
aiming,first,topromotethepositiveeffectsandmitigatethenegativeimpactsofagriculturalpracticesonbiological
diversity inagro-ecosystems andtheirinterface withother ecosystems; second, topromote theconservation and
sustainable useofgenetic resources ofactual orpotential value forfoodandagriculture; andthird, topromote
thefairandequitable sharing ofbenefits arising outoftheutilization ofgenetic resources; andwhich, insupport
oftheimplementation ofongoing ortheinitiation ofnewpolicies, programmes andplans inthefield of
agrobiodiversity, willhave thefollowing components:
(a) Theidentification andassessment ofrelevant ongoing activities andexisting instruments atthe
international level;
(b) Theidentification andassessment ofrelevant ongoing activities andexisting instruments atthe
national level;
(c) Theidentification ofissues thatneed tobeaddressed andrelevant knowledge;WT/CTE/W/44
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(d) Theidentification ofpriority issues forfurther development oftheprogramme;
(e) Theidentification andimplementation ofcasestudies onissues identified;
(f) Thesharing ofexperiences andthetransfer ofknowledge andtechnologies;
2. Requests theExecutive Secretary toinvite theFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited
Nations, inclose collaboration with other relevant United Nations bodies andregional andinternational
organizations, toidentify andassess relevant ongoing activities andexisting instruments attheinternational level,
choosing among thethematic areas intheindicative listinAnnex 2.Theresults should bereported back on
aphased basis totheConference oftheParties through theSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical and
Technological Advice;
3. Welcomes theofferbytheFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations tocontinue
serving countries inimplementing theConvention onBiological Diversity intheareaofagricultural biological
diversity, and,referring toitsearlier decisions, underlines thenecessity ofavoiding anyduplication ofwork
withrespect totheactivities being undertaken bytheFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations
inthisprogramme ofwork;
4. Requests Parties, asfaraspossible andasappropriate, toidentify andassess relevant ongoing
activities andexisting instruments atthenational level andtoreport back totheConference oftheParties;
5. Requests Parties, asfaraspossible andasappropriate, toidentify issues andpriorities that
need tobeaddressed atthenational level andtoreport back totheConference oftheParties;
6. Suggests that, incarrying outtheinitiatives described inparagraphs 3and4above, Parties
consider thethematic areas intheindicative listinAnnex 2,asappropriate;
7. Requests theExecutive Secretary, inclose collaboration with theFood andAgriculture
Organization oftheUnited Nations, asappropriate, toreport theresults, together withadvice fromtheSubsidiary
Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice, oftheabove initiatives asabasis forsetting priorities
bytheConference oftheParties forfurther work within thisprogramme ofwork using ascriteria, inter alia:
(a) Therelevance oftheissue totheobjectives oftheConvention;
(b) Theextent towhich work ontheissue isnotalready being undertaken;
8. Requests thattheclearing-house mechanism beusedtopromote andfacilitate thedevelopment
andtransfer oftechnology relevant totheconservation andsustainable useofagricultural biological diversity
byfacilitating contacts among:
(a) Groups needing solutions tospecific problems;
(b) Holders oftechnologies developed andmaintained bymany sources;
(c) Technology-transfer brokers;
(d) Enabling agencies which fund technology transfer;
9. Encourages theParties, inaccordance withdecision I/2oftheConference oftheParties, to
useand/or study anddevelop methods andindicators tomonitor theimpacts ofagricultural development projects,
including theintensification andextensification ofproduction systems, onbiological diversity andtopromote
their application;
10. Invites countries toshare case-study experiences addressing theconservation andsustainable
useofagriculturalbiologicaldiversity,which,amongotherwaysofsharinginformation,shouldbepostedthrough
theclearing-house mechanism oftheConvention;WT/CTE/W/44
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11. EncouragesinterestedPartiesandinternationalagenciestoconductcasestudiesonthetwoinitial
issues identified bytheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice inrecommendation
II/7, described inAnnex 3;
12. Instructs theSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice tocoordinate
andassess thelessons learned from work onthetopics described inAnnex 3andtoreport back thereon tothe
Conference oftheParties, asappropriate;
13. Recognizes thatthesuccessful implementation ofpolicies aiming atthesustainable useof
agrobiodiversity components largely depends onthedegree ofpublic awareness andunderstanding ofitsbasic
importanceforsociety,andrecommen dsPartiestoestablishorenhancemechanismsforinformationandeducation,
including theuseoftheclearing-house mechanism, specific togroups ofconcern atnational, regional and
international levels;
14. Endorses theconclusions oftherelevant sections ofthe1995 Commission onSustainable
Development sectoral review ofAgenda 21,which, inter alia, recognized theneed foranintegrated and
multidisciplinary approach totheplanning, development andmanagement ofland resources, andthatthe
achievement ofthemultiple objectives related tosustainable agriculture andrural development requires awhole
system approach thatrecognizes thatitisnotpossible tofocus onagricultural activities alone;
15. Encourages Parties todevelop national strategies, programmes andplans which, inter alia:
(a) Identify keycomponents ofbiological diversity inagricultural production systems responsible
formaintainingnaturalprocessesandcycles,monitoringandevaluatingtheeffectsofdifferentagriculturalpractices
andtechnologies onthose components andencouraging theadoption ofrepairing practices toattain appropriate
levels ofbiological diversity;
(b) Redirect support measures which runcounter totheobjectives oftheConvention regarding
agricultural biodiversity;
(c) Internalize environmental costs;
(d) Implement targeted incentive measures which have positive impacts onagrobiodiversity, in
order toenhance sustainable agriculture, inaccordance withArticle 11andconsistent withArticle 22,aswell
astoundertake impact assessments inorder tominimize adverse impacts onagrobiodiversity, inaccordance with
Article 14;
(e) Encourage thedevelopment oftechnologies andfarming practices thatnotonly increase
productivity, butalsoarrest degradation aswellasreclaim, rehabilitate, restore andenhance biological diversity
andmonitor adverse effects onsustainable agricultural biodiversity. These could include, inter alia,organic
farming, integrated pestmanagement, biological control, no-till agriculture, multi-cropping, inter-cropping, crop
rotation andagricultural forestry;
(f) Empowertheirindigenousandlocalcommunitiesandbuildtheircapacityforinsituconservation
andsustainable useandmanagement ofagricultural biological diversity, building ontheindigenous knowledge
systems;
(g) Encourage exanteand/or expostevaluation ofimpacts onbiological diversity fromagricultural
development projects, toassure theuseofbestpractices topromote theconservation andsustainable useof
biological diversity;
(h) Integrate withother plans, programmes andprojects relating totheconservation andsustainable
useofother terrestrial, freshwater, coastal andmarine ecosystems, inaccordance with Article 6(b)ofthe
Convention onBiological Diversity;
(i) Promotepartnershipswithresearchers,extensionworkersandfarmersinresearchanddevelopment
programmes forbiological diversity conservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity inagriculture.WT/CTE/W/44
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Toachievethis,countriesshouldbeencouragedtosetupandmaintainlocallevelforumsforfarmers,researchers,
extension workers andother stakeholders toevolve genuine partnerships;
(j) Promote atnational andregional levels adequate andappropriate services tofarmers and
responsiveness ofpublic research andextension services anddevelopment ofgenuine partnerships;
(k) Promote research into,anddevelopment andimplementation of,integrated pestmanagement
strategies, inparticular, methods andpractices alternative totheuseofagro-chemicals, thatmaintain biodiversity,
enhance agro-ecosystem resilience, maintain soilandwater quality anddonotaffect human health;
(l) Encouragetheconsiderationofintroducingnecessarymeasuresand/orlegislation,asappropriate,
toencourage appropriate useofanddiscourage excessive dependence onagro-chemicals withaviewtoreducing
negative impacts onbiological diversity;
(m) Study, useand/or develop, inaccordance withdecision I/2,methods andindicators tomonitor
theimpactsofagriculturaldevelopmentprojectsonbiologicaldiversity,includingintensificationandextensification,
ofproduction systems onbiological diversity, andtopromote their application;
(n) Studythepositiveandnegativeimpactsonecosystemsandbiomesofagriculturaltransformation
resulting from intensification orextensification ofproduction systems intheir countries;
16. Encourages Parties todevelop national strategies, programmes andplans, which should focus
on,inter alia:
(a) Thekeyelements oftheGlobal PlanofAction, suchasbroadening thegenetic baseofmajor
crops; increasing therange ofgenetic diversity available tofarmers; strengthening thecapacity todevelop new
crops andvarieties thatarespecifically adapted tolocal environments; exploring andpromoting theuseof
underutilized crops; anddeploying genetic diversity toreduce crop vulnerability;
(b) Thedevelopment ofinventories which consider thestatus offarm animal genetic resources
andmeasures fortheir conservation andsustainable utilization;
(c) Micro-organisms ofinterest foragriculture;
17. Encourages Parties attheappropriate level, withthesupport oftherelevant international and
regional organizations, topromote:
(a) Thetransformation ofunsustainable agricultural practices intosustainable production practices
adapted tolocal biotic andabiotic conditions, inconformity withtheecosystem orintegrated landuseapproach;
(b) Theuseoffarming practices thatnotonlyincrease productivity, butalsoarrest degradation
aswellasreclaim, rehabilitate, restore andenhance biological diversity;
(c) Mobilization offarming communities including indigenous andlocal communities forthe
development, maintenance anduseoftheir knowledge andpractices intheconservation andsustainable useof
biological diversity intheagricultural sector withspecific reference togender roles;
18. Notes thatthevarious options forthelegal status ofarevised International Undertaking on
Plant Genetic Resources, which include avoluntary agreement, binding instrument, orprotocol totheConvention
onBiological Diversity, have notbeen decided upon bytheFood andAgriculture Organization ofthe
United Nations, requests theFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations toinform theConference
oftheParties ofitsdeliberations, affirms itswillingness toconsider adecision bytheConference oftheFood
andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations thattheInternational Undertaking should taketheform of
aprotocol tothisConvention once revised inharmony withthisConvention andfurther requests theExecutive
Secretary toinform theCommission onGenetic Resources forFood andAgriculture accordingly;
19. Welcomes thecontribution thattheGlobal PlanofAction fortheConservation andSustainable
Utilization ofPlant Genetic Resources, asadopted bythefourth International Technical Conference onPlantWT/CTE/W/44
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Genetic Resources, provides totheimplementation oftheConvention onBiological Diversity inthefieldofplant
genetic resources forfoodandagriculture andencourages Parties actively toimplement theGlobal PlanofAction,
inaccordance withtheirnational capacities, andendorses itspriorities andpolicy recommendations; recognizes
thatseveral issues require further work inthecontext oftheFAO Global System fortheConservation and
Utilization ofPlant Genetic Resources forFood andAgriculture, inparticular: financing; therealization of
Farmers 'Rights asdiscussed intheGlobal PlanofAction; aswellasterms oftechnology transfer todeveloping
countries andaccess andbenefit-sharing arrangements, inaccordance withrelevant provisions oftheConvention.
Inthisregard, calls foreffective andspeedy completion oftherevision oftheInternational Undertaking and
strengthening oftheFAO Global System;
20. Appreciates theimportance ofthecountry-based Global Strategy fortheManagement ofFarm
AnimalGeneticResourcesundertheFoodandAgricultureOrganizationoftheUnitedNationsandstronglysupports
itsfurther development;
21. Draws theattention ofParties toArticle 20.1oftheConvention, inthecontext ofproviding,
inaccordance withtheircapabilities, financial support andincentives fortheconservation andsustainable use
ofbiological diversity important toagriculture inaccordance withnational plans, priorities andprogrammes;
22. Drawstheattentionofinternationalfundingagenciestotheurgentneedtosupporttheconservation
andsustainableuseofbiologicaldiversityimportanttoagricultureandinvitestheseagenciestoprovideinformation
andfeedback inthisrespect totheConference oftheParties andinthiscontext, requests theinterim financial
mechanism togivepriority tosupporting efforts fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity
important toagriculture inaccordance withthisdecision;
23. Encourages theUnited Nations Environment Programme/Food andAgriculture Organization
oftheUnited Nations process developed bytheIntergovernmental Committee negotiating aninternational binding
instrumentfortheapplicationofthepriorinformedconsentprocedureonhazardouschemicalsubstances,including
pesticides;
24. Recallsparagraph39(g)fromtheWorldFoodSummitPlanofActionandencouragestheWorld
Trade Organization through itsCommittee onTrade andEnvironment, incollaboration with other relevant
organizations, toconsider developing abetter appreciation oftherelationship between trade andagricultural
biodiversity and,inthisconsideration, recommends thecollaboration withtheConvention onBiological Diversity
andrequests theExecutive Secretary toconvey thisrequest totheWorld Trade Organization.
Annex 1
BASIS FOR ACTION
A.Impact ofbiological diversity onagriculture
1. Biological diversity hasenabled farming systems toevolve since agriculture wasfirstdeveloped some
12,000 years ago,andanunderstanding ofthedynamic evolutionary andenvironmental processes which shape
andinfluence agricultural biodiversity isfundamental toimproving thesustainable management andconservation
ofagricultural ecosystems today. Inrecent years, astheworld 'spopulation continues togrow andagricultural
productionmustmeet therisingdemandforfood,agriculturalexpansionintoforestsandmarginallands,combined
withovergrazing andurban andindustrial growth, hassubstantially reduced levels ofbiological diversity over
significant areas. Current patterns ofagricultural landusebased onlimited numbers ofspecies andvarieties
havealsodiminished thebiological diversity within agricultural ecosystems andareundermining thelong-term
sustainability ofagricultural production itself.WT/CTE/W/44
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2. Agricultural intensification hasthepotential tobalance theworld 'sneed forincreasing foodsupplies
while reducing pressures toexpand agricultural areas stillfurther, butitisalsoharmful when accompanied by
excessive dependence onagrochemicals andexternal energy andwater inputs. Agro-ecological forms of
intensification can,however, blend improved knowledge about agricultural ecosystems, intercropping, usesof
diverse species, integrated pestmanagement andtheefficient useofresources. Beneficial mixes oflanduse
alsoraise theoverall level ofbiodiversity inagricultural landscapes. These approaches currently represent a
small butgrowing portion ofintensification efforts. Meeting theimperative ofincreasing agricultural production
insuchsustainable ways while conserving andprudently using biological diversity isthemajor challenge which
wemust urgently address.
3. Theimportance ofagrobiodiversity isofwidespread andcomplex significance tosociety, encompassing
socio-cultural, economic andenvironmental elements. Itisessential tofoodsecurity andpoverty alleviation
andmuchoftheknowledgeaboutagrobiodiversityismaintainedbyfarmersthemselves,manyofwhomarewomen.
Alldomesticated crops andanimals result from human management ofbiological diversity, which isconstantly
respondingtonewchallengestomaintainandincreaseproductivity.Biologicaldiversityitselfpresentsopportunities
fornaturally controlling pests andreducing theuseofpesticides, while maintaining highyields, andalarge
proportion ofcrops depend oninsect pollinators forgood yields. Landraces andwildspecies ofanimals and
plants aretheessential source ofgenetic variability forresponding tobiotic andabiotic stress through genetic
adaptation.
4. Thebiological diversity ofthesoilisresponsible fornutrient circulation andfertility within agricultural
ecosystems. Diversified agricultural production provides protection against uncertainties inthemarket, especially
forlesscapitalized producers, andincreases theopportunities toaddvalue andexploit newmarkets. Farmers
allovertheworld have alsomanaged avariety ofwildspecies andhabitats which benefit thesustainability of
bothagricultural andnatural ecosystems.
5. Atthemore fundamental level, theliving organisms which constitute agricultural biodiversity playan
important roleintheresilience ofallnatural, life-support processes. They areessential agents for,inter alia,
nitrogen, carbon, energy andwater cycles. Moreover, thespecies composition andtheirrelationships willaffect
thefunctioning andyields ofagricultural ecosystems themselves. Adiverse environment alsooffers ashield
foragricultural ecosystems against perturbations, natural orman-made, contributing totheirresilience andthat
oftheir surrounding ecosystems.
6. Agricultural production utilizes natural resources ofdiverse ecosystems worldwide andistheeconomic
activity most representative asfarasextensive land-use isconcerned -nearly onethird oftheworld 'slandarea
isusedforfoodproduction. Serious adverse effects mayoccur onbiological diversity atonandoff-farm levels.
Mostoftheworld'sbiologicaldiversityonlandisharbouredbyareasunderexploitationbyhumans;consequently,
conserving biological diversity implies improving theways inwhich agricultural ecosystems aremanaged.
B.Impacts ofagriculture onbiodiversity
7. Different agricultural practices leadtodiverse impacts upon biological diversity. These impacts occur
attheecosystem, species andgenetic levels.
(a) Unsustainableagriculturalpracticeshavecausednegativeimpactsonbiologicaldiversity,world-
wide, atalllevels -ecosystem, species andgenetic -onbothnatural anddomestic diversity. They haveresulted
inthelarge-scaledegradationofagrobiodiversityandhabitatsthroughthedestructionofbioticandabioticresources,
aswellasbythreatening thenatural resource basetoagriculture andthrough socio-economic problems created
bydestruction ofthelocalresource base. Inappropriate reliance onmonoculture, over-mechanization, andmisuse
ofagriculturalchemicalsdiminishthediversityoffauna,floraandmicro-organisms,includingbeneficialorganisms.
These practices normally leadtoasimplification ofthecomponents oftheenvironment andtounstable production
systems. Expansion ofagriculture tofrontier areas, including forests, savannahs, wetlands, mountains, andarid
lands, combined withovergrazing, andinadequate cropmanagement andpestcontrol strategies contribute to
degradation ofbiological diversity, aswellastothelossofthecultural diversity oftraditional communities.
(b) Agricultural practices have, however, alsofacilitated enhanced biodiversity asaresult ofboth
traditional andmodern sustainable farming practices. Agricultural ecosystems canprovide habitats forplants,WT/CTE/W/44
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birds andother animals. Many agriculturalists havemade strong efforts topreserve biological diversity important
toagriculture, bothinsituandexsitu. Currently, progress isbeing made inmany regions oftheworld in
implementing biological diversity-friendly agricultural practices insoilconservation, withdrawing production
from marginal areas, mastering chemical andnutrient runoff, andbreeding cropvarieties which aregenetically
resistant todiseases, pests andabiotic stresses.
Annex 2
INDICATIVE LIST OFTHEMATIC AREAS
1. Land resources
(i) soilerosion control;
(ii) sustainable tillage;
(iii) sustainable farming orcropping;
(iv) marginal landuse;
(v) stock ofagricultural landincluding pressures ofurbanization;
(vi) integrated landandresource management;
(vii) restoration ofdegraded landscapes.
2. Water resources
(i) precipitation;
(ii) irrigation management;
(iii) sustainable use;
(iv) water quality;
(v) farm waste.
3. Plant, animal andmicrobial genetic resources
(i) insitu;
(ii) exsitu;
(iii) roleofbotanical gardens andzoos visàvisagricultural biological diversity;
(iv) sustainable use.
4. Wildlife
(i) habitats;
(ii) populations (e.g., pollinators, nematodes, soilmicro-organisms);
(iii) biocontrol organisms;
(iv) border habitats fornatural organisms beneficial toagriculture.
5. Airandclimate
(i) greenhouse gasemissions;
(ii) temperature andprecipitation variability.
6. Farm inputs
(i) sustainable/water useefficiency;
(ii) energy useefficiency;
(iii) input costs;
(iv) pesticide useinvolving integrated pestmanagement;
(v) nutrient balance including symbiotic soilmicro-organisms.WT/CTE/W/44
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7. Wild sources offood
(i) wildrelatives ofdomesticated species;
(ii) other wildspecies.
8. Traditional knowledge
9. Marketing conditions foragricultural products
Therelationship between biological diversity-friendly agricultural practices andmarket forces.
10. Land-use pressures
Examining land-use pressures which make itmore difficult tomaintain biodiversity-friendly practices,
suchaslackofservices forruralpeople, andtheartificial maintenance ofsome landfarbelow productive
capacity;
11. Agroforestry
Annex 3
INITIAL ISSUES FOR CONDUCTING CASE STUDIES
1. Pollinators,includingconsiderationofthemonitoringofthelossofpollinatorsworldwide;theidentification
ofthespecificcausesofpollinatordecline;theestimationoftheeconomiccostassociatedwithreducedpollination
ofcrops; theidentification andpromotion ofbestpractices andtechnologies formore sustainable agriculture;
andtheidentification andencouragement oftheadoption ofconservation practices tomaintain pollinators orto
promote their re-establishment.
2. Soilmicro-organisms inagriculture, including consideration of:themeasurement andmonitoring of
theworldwidelossofsymbioticsoilmicro-organisms,inparticularnitrogen-fixingbacteriaandmycorrhizalfungi;
theidentification andpromotion ofthetransfer oftechnologies forthedetection ofsymbiotic soilmicro-organisms
andtheirusetoenhance nitrogen fixation andphosphorous absorption; theestimation ofthepotential andactual
economic gainassociated withreduced useofnitrogen andphosphorus chemical fertilization ofcrops withthe
enhanceduseandconservationofsymbioticsoilmicro-organisms;theidentificationandpromotionofbestpractices
formore sustainable agriculture; andtheidentification andpromotion ofconservation measures toconserve
symbiotic soilmicro-organisms ortopromote their re-establishment.
DECISION III/14: IMPLEMENTATION OFARTICLE 8(J)
TheConference oftheParties,
Reaffirming thespirit andtheintent oftheConvention asexpressed inArticle 8(j),
RecognizingthatArticle8(j)iscloselylinkedwithotherarticlesoftheConvention,inparticularArticles
10(c),17.2 and18.4,
Taking noteofrelevant activities within theUnited Nations system, inparticular under theCommission
onHuman Rights, andofrelevant international instruments, suchasConvention 169oftheInternational Labour
Organization,
Stressing theneed forContracting Parties toimplement Article 8(j)andrelated articles andtoinitiate
aprocess toward thisend,
Realizingtheimportanceofbiologicaldiversityforindigenousandlocalcommunitiesembodyingtraditional
lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity,WT/CTE/W/44
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Emphasizing theneedfordialogue withrepresentatives ofindigenous andlocalcommunities embodying
traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity within theframework
oftheConvention,
Recognizing rights under national legislation ofindigenous andlocal communities tocontrol access to
theirknowledge,innovationsandpracticesrelevantfortheconservationandsustainableuseofbiologicaldiversity,
Reaffirming thedynamic nature oftraditional knowledge, innovations andpractices,
Recognizing thattraditional knowledge should begiven thesame respect asanyother formofknowledge
intheimplementation oftheConvention,
Emphasizing theneed forParties toinitiate projects oncapacity-building withindigenous andlocal
communities toaddress concerns intheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity andofequitable
sharing ofthebenefits arising from theutilization oftheir knowledge, innovations andpractices,
Recognizing thatissues related totraditional knowledge, innovations andpractices gobeyond thescope
oftheConvention,
Expressingitssincereappreciationforthevaluablecontributionmadebytheparticipatingrepresentatives
oftheindigenous andlocal communities atthethird meeting oftheConference oftheParties,
1. RequeststhosePartiesthathavenotyetdonesotodevelopnationallegislationandcorresponding
strategiesfortheimplementationofArticle8(j)inconsultationparticularlywithrepresentativesoftheirindigenous
andlocal communities;
2. UrgesPartiestosupplyinformationabouttheimplementationofArticle8(j)andrelatedarticles,
forexample, national legislation andadministrative andincentive measures, andtoinclude suchinformation in
national reports;
3. InvitesGovernments,internationalagencies,researchinstitutions,representativesofindigenous
andlocal communities andnon-governmental organizations tosubmit casestudies totheExecutive Secretary
intimeforconsideration bytheworkshop referred toinparagraph 9below onmeasures taken todevelop and
implementtheConvention'sprovisionsrelatingtoindigenousandlocalcommunities.Thesestudiescouldhighlight
keyareas ofdiscussion andhelpinconsidering theimplementation ofArticle 8(j)andrelated articles, including,
interalia,interactions between traditional andother forms ofknowledge relating toconservation andsustainable
useofbiological diversity; theinfluence ofcurrent lawsandpolicies onknowledge, innovations andpractices
ofindigenous andlocalcommunities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable
useofbiological diversity; andincentive measures;
4. Requests theExecutive Secretary toremain informed astorelevant international processes and
bodies, including, interalia,those under theauspices oftheCommission onHuman Rights andtheCommission
onSustainable Development, Convention 169oftheInternational Labour Organization, theWorld Intellectual
Property Organization, theWorld Bank, theFood andAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations, theUnited
NationsEducational,SocialandCulturalOrganization,andtheWorldTradeOrganization,andtoprovideperiodic
reports related toArticle 8(j)andrelated articles totheConference ofParties;
5. Requests theinterim financial mechanism toexamine thesupport ofcapacity-building projects
forindigenous andlocalcommunities embodying traditional lifestyles related tothepreservation andmaintenance
oftheirknowledge,innovationsandpracticesrelevantfortheconservationandsustainableuseofbiologicaldiversity
withtheir prior informed consent andtheir participation;
6. Recommends thattheindigenous knowledge postintheSecretariat should befilled assoon
aspossible;
7. Decides thatanintersessional process should beestablished toadvance further work onthe
implementation ofArticle 8(j)andrelated provisions withaview toproducing areport forconsideration atthe
fourth meeting oftheConference oftheParties;WT/CTE/W/44
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8. Decides thatactivities aspartoftheintersessional process referred toinparagraph 7should
includerepresentationbyGovernments,indigenousandlocalcommunitiesembodyingtraditionallifestylesrelevant
fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiodiversity, andother relevant bodies;
9. Requests theExecutive Secretary toarrange, aspartoftheintersessional process referred to
inparagraph 7,afive-day workshop before thefourth meeting oftheConference oftheParties according to
theterms ofreference intheAnnex;
10. Further requests theExecutive Secretary toproduce, insupport oftheintersessional process
referred toinparagraph 7,abackground document containing thefollowing:
(a) Theconsideration ofthelinkages between Article 8(j)andrelated issues including, interalia,
technology transfer, access togenetic resources, ownership, intellectual property rights, alternative systems of
protection ofknowledge, innovations andpractices, incentives andArticles 6and7andtheremainder ofArticle
8;
(b) Theelaboration ofconcepts ofkeyterms ofArticle 8(j)andrelated provisions suchasArticles
10(c),17.2 and18.4;
(c) Asurvey oftheactivities undertaken byrelevant organizations andtheirpossible contribution
toArticle 8(j)andrelated articles;
11. Further requests theExecutive Secretary toinvite representatives ofindigenous andlocal
communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiodiversity
toprovide input tothemeeting;
12. Calls upon Parties tomake additional voluntary contributions tohelpfund theworkshop.
Annex
1. Theworkshop would seek:
(a) Toidentify theextent towhich thevarious organizations, individually orcollectively, could
address interests inArticle 8(j),such asguidance toGovernments onimplementation;
(b) Toidentify anygapswhich would helpsetfuture priorities oftheConference oftheParties;
(c) ToconsiderthebackgrounddocumentpreparedbytheExecutiveSecretaryaccordingtooperative
paragraph 9tothepresent decision;
(d) Toconsider theinput provided bytheindigenous andlocal communities embodying traditional
lifestyles according toparagraph 10tothepresent decision;
(e) Toconsider theinformation provided bytheParties onnational implementation under Article
8(j)andrelated articles andseektodraw conclusions which willbeofassistance inanassessment ofpriorities
forfuture work byParties andbytheConference oftheParties relevant toArticle 8(j)andrelated articles;
(f) Toprovide advice totheConference oftheParties onthepossibility ofdeveloping aworkplan
onArticle 8(j)andrelated articles including themodalities forsuch aworkplan;
(g) Toexamine theneed toestablish anopen-ended intersessional working group orasubsidiary
body toaddress theroleoftraditional knowledge, innovations andpractices ofindigenous andlocal communities
embodying traditional lifestyles relevant totheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity.WT/CTE/W/44
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2. Inorganizing theworkshop,
(a) TheExecutiveSecretarywillconsultwiththeCentreforHumanRightsandotherrelevantbodies
onorganizational considerations insessions oftheUnited Nations Working Group onIndigenous Populations
inorder toinform theprocess oforganizing thisworkshop;
(b) TheParties shall, asfaraspossible andasappropriate, promote consultations among indigenous
andlocal communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable useof
biodiversity inorder forthem tochoose their representatives totheworkshop;
(c) Asetnumber offunded participants willbedetermined according totheamount ofvoluntary
contributions received andwillbeallocated taking intoaccount regional andgender representations;
(d) Acorefigure ofUS$350,000 willbeallocated inthebudget oftheConvention onBiological
Diversity tocover theadministrative costs oftheworkshop;
(e) Consideration could begiven toholding itback-to-back withthethirdmeeting oftheSubsidiary
Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological Advice oratavenue offered byavoluntary host.
DECISION III/15: ACCESS TOGENETIC RESOURCES
TheConference oftheParties,
Recognizing theimportance oftheimplementation ofArticle 15withallofitsprovisions,
Noting thattheimplementation ofArticle 15isclosely linked tothatofother Articles, such as8(j),
11,16.2, 16.5, 17.2, 19.1 and19.2;
Taking noteoftheimportance ofnational andregional efforts, assetoutinitsdecision II/11,
Recalling thesupport expressed indecision II/15 fortheharmonization oftheInternational Undertaking
onPlant Genetic Resources forFood andAgriculture withtheConvention onBiological Diversity, andnoting
thelinkagesofArticle15withthefurtherdevelopmentandimplementationoftheworkbytheFoodandAgriculture
Organization oftheUnited Nations ontheGlobal System,
Recognizing thatthere isavariety ofapproaches tomanaging access togenetic resources based ontheir
diversity andother considerations,
Recalling decision II/18, thatplaced thedistribution ofthebenefits from technology, including
biotechnology, ontheagenda ofthefourth meeting oftheConference oftheParties,
1. UrgesGovernments,regionaleconomicintegrationorganizationsandotherinternational,regional
andnational competent organizations tosendtotheSecretariat, fivemonths before thefourth meeting ofthe
Conference oftheParties, information on:
(a) National, regional, andsectoral legislative, administrative andpolicy measures andguidelines
foractivities covered byArticle 15,andinparticular, onaccess andbenefit-sharing, bothadopted andunder
development, including information ontheir implementation;
(b) National participatory processes fortheactivities covered byArticle 15,andinparticular, ways
bywhich access andbenefit-sharing measures andguidelines, including related institutional arrangements, are
developed andimplemented;
(c) Asappropriate, research programmes ongenetic resources;WT/CTE/W/44
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2. RequeststheExecutiveSecretary,intimeforthefourthmeetingoftheConferenceoftheParties:
(a) Toprepareanotebasedoninformationprovidedinresponsetoparagraph1,furthersummar izing
legislative, administrative andpolicy measures, including guidelines andregional andsectoral measures forthe
activities covered byArticle 15,andinparticular onaccess andbenefit-sharing, bothunder development and
adopted. Thenoteshould include asummary ofthescope ofthegenetic resources included andbeing considered;
anynational andregional interpretations ofkeyterms; theelements included inaccess measures andconsideration
oftheprocess bywhich suchmeasures areprepared andimplemented, including interim measures; andrelevant
nationalexperiencesinthedevelopmentandimplementationofsuchmeasures,including,asavailable,casestudies;
(b) Todisseminate thisinformation, including through theclearing-house mechanism;
3. UrgesGovernments,regionaleconomicintegrationorganizations,theinterimfinancialmechanism,
andcompetentinternational,regionalandnationalorganizationstosupportandimplementhumanandinstitutional
capacity-building programmes forGovernments, non-governmental organizations andlocal andindigenous
communities, asappropriate, topromote thesuccessful development andimplementation oflegislative,
administrative andpolicy measures andguidelines onaccess, including scientific, technical, business, legal and
management skills andcapacities;
4. Invites Governments, regional economic integration organizations andcompetent international,
regional andnational organizations toconduct analyses ofongoing experiences oflegislative, administrative and
policymeasuresandguidelinesonaccess,includingregionaleffortsandinitiatives,andtodisseminatethesewidely
toassist Parties andstakeholders involved indeveloping andimplementing measures andguidelines onaccess;
5. EncouragesGovernmentsandregionaleconomicintegrationorganizationstoexploreanddevelop,
incollaboration withrelevant stakeholders, guidelines andpractices toensure mutual benefits toproviders and
users ofaccess measures andtoimplement them effectively atthenational, regional orinternational level, as
appropriate;
6. Encourages Governments andregional economic integration organizations toidentify and
communicate totheSecretariat competent national authorities responsible forgranting access togenetic resources
and/or competent national authorities toprovide information onthegranting ofaccess togenetic resources;
7. UrgesGovernmentsandregionaleconomicintegrationorganizationstobringtoarapidconclusion
thenegotiation fortheadaptation oftheInternational Undertaking onPlant Genetic Resources forFood and
Agriculture, inharmony withtheConvention onBiological Diversity, inparticular, providing solutions toaccess
toexsitucollections notacquired inaccordance withtheConvention;
8. RequeststheExecutiveSecretarytocooperatecloselywiththeWorldTradeOrganizationthrough
theCommittee onTrade andEnvironment toexplore theextent towhich there maybelinkages between Article
15andrelevant articles oftheAgreement onTrade-related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights;
9. Urges theExecutive Secretary tocoordinate closely withtheFood andAgriculture Organization
oftheUnited Nations, United Nations Conference onTrade andDevelopment andother relevant organizations
working onaccess togenetic resources toensure complementary efforts.
DECISION III/16: WAYS TOPROMOTE AND FACILITATE ACCESS TOAND TRANSFER AND DEVELOPMENT
OFTECHNOLOGY ,ASENVISAGED INARTICLES 16AND 18OFTHE CONVENTION
TheConference oftheParties
Recalling theprovisions oftheConvention ascontained inparagraphs 16.1 and16.2,
Taking noteofdocument UNEP/CBD/COP/3/21 onpromoting andfacilitating access toandtransfer
anddevelopment oftechnology,WT/CTE/W/44
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1. Takes noteofdecision II/4ofthesecond meeting oftheConference oftheParties, and
recommendation II/3ofthesecond meeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific, Technical andTechnological
Advice;
2. Notes alsothattheissue oftechnology willbedealt withatitsfourth meeting interaliainthe
contextofagendaitem7.4onconsiderationofmattersrelatedtobenefit-sharing,andspecificallyagendaitem7.4.1:
Consideration ofmeasures topromote andadvance thedistribution ofbenefits frombiotechnology inaccordance
withArticle 19andagenda item7.4.2: Consideration ofbenefit-sharing inthelight ofthepresent decision;
3. Endorses therecommendation II/3ofthesecond meeting oftheSubsidiary Body onScientific,
TechnicalandTechnologicalAdvice,andrequeststhethirdmeetingoftheSubsidiaryBodyonScientific,Technical
andTechnological Advice toconduct itswork ontechnology transfer within sectoral themes related tothepriority
issues under itsprogramme ofwork, assetoutinrecommendation II/12;
4. Emphasizes theimportance oftechnology transfer intheachievement ofeach ofthethree
objectives oftheConvention.
DECISION III/17: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
TheConference oftheParties,
Recognizing thatintellectual property rights arerelevant toandmay have implications forthe
implementation oftheConvention andtheachievement ofitsobjectives,
Noting thatintellectual property rights arethefocus ofother international agreements andorganizations,
Recalling Article 16,paragraph 5,oftheConvention,
Recognizing theimportance ofimplementing intellectual property rights-related provisions ofthe
Convention onBiological Diversity andofinternational agreements relating tointellectual property rights ina
mutually supportive way,
Recalling decision II/12 ofthesecond meeting oftheConference oftheParties,
1. Encourages Governments, andrelevant international andregional organizations, toconduct
andcommunicate totheExecutive Secretary, fordissemination through means such astheclearing-house
mechanism, casestudies oftheimpacts ofintellectual property rights ontheachievement oftheConvention 's
objectives,includingrelationshipsbetweenintellectualpropertyrightsandtheknowledge,practicesandinnovations
ofindigenous andlocalcommunities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable
useofbiological diversity. Such studies could:
(a) Take intoaccount theinformation andoptions forfuture work contained inthepreliminary
study prepared bytheExecutive Secretary, contained indocument UNEP/CBD/COP/3/22;
(b) Take intoconsideration existing andpotential interrelationships between intellectual property
rights andother aspects oftheConvention ’simplementation, including, forexample, implementation of
Articles 8(j),15and16;
(c) Involve, through consultation orcooperation, relevant international organizations, aswellas
relevant regional andnational bodies, stakeholders, andothers withrelevant expertise, asappropriate;
(d) Consider theroleandthepotential ofexisting intellectual property rights systems inachieving
theobjectives oftheConvention, including, inter alia,infacilitating technology transfer andinarrangements
bywhich interested parties including indigenous andlocal communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant
fortheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity andcountries maydetermine access toandshare
equitably thebenefits ofgenetic resources orknowledge, innovations andpractices;WT/CTE/W/44
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(e) Considerthedevelopmentofintellectualpropertyrights,suchassuigenerissystems/approaches,
oralternative forms ofprotection thatcould promote achievement oftheConvention 'sobjectives, consistent with
theParties 'international obligations;
(f) Reflecttheimportanceofcoordinatingefficientlywithworkundertakenpursuanttootherelements
ofthework programme oftheConference oftheParties andwork programmes ofother relevant organizations;
2. Notes thatthepossible establishment ofanewinternational intellectual property rights regime
fordatabasescouldhaveimplicationsforscientificandtechnicalcooperationrelatedtoconservationandsustainable
useofbiological diversity, andcalls foranopen andtransparent evaluation ofthese implications;
3. Requests theExecutive Secretary tocontact relevant international organizations, particularly
theWorld Intellectual Property Organization, toinvite them totakeintoaccount intheirdevelopment cooperation
programmes ,whereappropriate,theneedtobuildcapacitytoachievetheobjectivesoftheConventiononBiological
Diversity asrelated tointellectual property rights;
4. RequeststheExecutiveSecretarytotransmittotheSecretariatoftheWorldTradeOrganization,
forusebyappropriate World Trade Organization bodies, decisions ofthethird meeting oftheConference of
theParties, aswellasthedocuments placed before thethird meeting oftheConference oftheParties, andto
endeavour toundertake further cooperation andconsultation withtheWorld Trade Organization Secretariat, as
appropriate. Thedocuments shall beaccompanied bythenotefrom theConference oftheParties included as
theannex tothisdecision;
5. Welcomes thedecision oftheCommittee onTrade andEnvironment oftheWorld Trade
Organization tode-restrict andtransmit documents totheExecutive Secretary relating toitswork, andinvites
theCommittee onTrade andEnvironment totransmit future relevant documents totheExecutive Secretary as
theyareproduced;
6. Requests theExecutive Secretary toapply forobserver status intheCommittee onTrade and
Environment oftheWorld Trade Organization, forthepurpose ofrepresenting theConvention onBiological
Diversity inmeetings whose agendas have arelationship withtheConvention;
7. Notes thepotential mutual benefits ofexchanging information related toArticle 16ofthe
Convention onBiological Diversity andthelawsandregulations received bytheCouncil onTrade-related Aspects
ofIntellectual Property Rights pursuant tothenotification requirement ofArticle 63oftheAgreement onTrade-
Related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights;
8. Recognizesthatfurtherworkisrequiredtohelpdevelopacommonappreciationoftherelationship
between intellectual property rights andtherelevant provisions oftheAgreement onTrade-related Aspects of
IntellectualPropertyRightsandtheConventiononBiologicalDiversity,inparticularonissuesrelatingtotechnology
transfer andconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity andthefairandequitable sharing ofbenefits
arising outoftheuseofgenetic resources, including theprotection ofknowledge, innovations andpractices of
indigenous andlocal communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant fortheconservation andsustainable
useofbiological diversity.
Annex
TheConvention onBiological Diversity andtheAgreement on
Trade-related Aspects ofIntellectual Property Rights
TheConference oftheParties hereby transmits totheSecretariat oftheWorld Trade Organization, for
usebyappropriate bodies oftheWorld Trade Organization, thedecisions ofthethird meeting oftheConference
oftheParties, aswellasthedocuments placed before thethird meeting oftheConference oftheParties. In
particular, attention isdrawn todocument UNEP/CBD/COP/3/22, entitled "The impact ofintellectual property
rights systems ontheconservation andsustainable useofbiological diversity andontheequitable sharing of
benefits from itsuse", anddocument UNEP/CBD/COP/3/23, entitled "The Convention onBiological Diversity
andtheAgreemen tonTrade-relatedAspectsofIntellectualPropertyRights(TRIPs):Relationshipsandsynergies".WT/CTE/W/44
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These documents were prepared fortheconsideration oftheConference oftheParties andtheir inclusion does
notimply fullendorsement bytheConference oftheParties. They areoffered ascontributions towhat ishoped
willbeacontinuing process ofconsultation andcooperation, aimed atpromoting theharmonious implementation
ofthetwoagreements.
DECISION III/20: ISSUES RELATED TOBIOSAFETY
TheConference oftheParties,
Recalling decision II/5adopted atitssecond meeting,
Havingconsideredthereportandrecommen dationsofthefirstmeetingoftheOpen-endedAdHocWorking
Group onBiosafety, which metinAarhus, Denmark, from 22to26July1996,
Recalling paragraph 10oftheterms ofreference fortheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group, contained
intheannex todecision II/5,which states thattheprocess ofdeveloping aprotocol shallbeconducted asamatter
ofurgency andthattheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group shall endeavour tocomplete itswork in1998,
Welcoming theadoption oftheUNEP International Technical Guidelines forSafety inBiotechnology
attheGlobal Consultation ofGovernment-designated Experts, heldinCairo, Egypt, from 11to14December
1995,
Affirming itssupport foratwo-track approach through which thepromotion oftheapplication ofthe
UNEP International Technical Guidelines forSafety inBiotechnology cancontribute tothedevelopment and
implementationofaprotocolonbiosafety,withoutprejudicingthedevelopmentandconclusionofsuchaprotocol,
1. Decides:
(a) Thateachofthefivegroups ofStates referred toinsection 1,paragraph 1,ofGeneral Assembly
resolution 2997 (XXVII), of15December 1972, shallsendtotheSecretariat nominations fortworepresentatives
totheBureau assoonaspossible, andinanyevent before thecommencement ofthesecond meeting oftheOpen-
endedAdHocWorkingGroupestablishedbythesecondmeetingoftheConferenceofthePartiesindecisionII/5;
(b) ThattheBureau shallremain inoffice, under thechairmanship ofMr.VeitKoester, (Denmark),
until thefourth meeting oftheConference oftheParties;
(c) Thattwomeetings oftheOpen-ended AdHocWorking Group willbeheldin1997, andthat
asufficient number ofmeetings willbeheldin1998 toallow theWorking Group tocomplete itswork in1998;
2. Endorsesrecommen dationII/5oftheSubsidiaryBodyonScientific,TechnicalandTechnological
Advice and,inparticular:
(a) Therealization ofactivities topromote theapplication oftheUNEP International Technical
Guidelines forSafety inBiotechnology, inaccordance withparagraph 2ofrecommendation II/5;
(b) Theimportance offunding forcapacity-building inbiosafety;
(c) Therequest totheinterim institutional structure operating thefinancial mechanism toprovide
financialresourcestodevelopingcountryPartiesforcapacity-buildinginbiosafety,inaccordancewithparagraph3
ofrecommendation II/5, assetoutinparagraph 2(a)ofdecision III/5.WT/CTE/W/44
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II. MONTREAL PROTOCOL ONSUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER
TheEighth Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol onSubstances thatDeplete the
Ozone Layer tookplace inSanJosé(Costa Rica) from25to27November 1996. TheMeeting adopted
thirty Decisions.3Fiveofthem, which maybeofinterest toMembers, arereproduced below.
TheNinth Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol willtakeplace inMontreal (Canada)
inSeptember 1997. TheOpen-Ended Working Group oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol will
holditsfifteenth meeting inNairobi from 3-6June1997 toconsider, inparticular, thereport ofthe
Technology andEconomic Assessment Panel ontheessential usesofozone depleting substances, and
viable alternatives formethyl bromide.
Textofcertain decisions taken bytheEighth Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol on
Substances thatDeplete theOzone Layer:
DECISION VIII/4: REPLENISHMENT OFTHE MULTILATERAL FUND AND THREE -YEAR ROLLING BUSINESS
PLAN FOR 1997-19994
1. Tonotewithappreciation thereport oftheExecutive Committee onthethree-year rolling business plan
andthereport oftheTEAP onreplenishment;
2. Toadopt abudget for1997-1999 ofUS$540,000,000 withtheunderstanding thatUS$74,000,000 of
thatsumwillbeprovided byfunds unallocated during 1994-1996: thisUS$74,000,000 figure does
notinclude sums listed asdisputed indocument UNEP/OzL.Pro.8/L.2, which appears asannex VIII
tothisreport,
3. Theagreed budget figure includes asumofUS$10million toenable Parties operating under Article
5toapply themeasures contained inparagraph 2ofdecision VII/8 oftheSeventh Meeting oftheParties
andtoassist those Parties tostarttheimplementation ofanyrecommendations thatmight arise from
theNinth Meeting oftheParties onthismatter;
4. ToadoptthescaleofcontributionsfortheMultilateralFundbasedonareplenishmentofUS$466,000,000
assetoutinAnnex Itothisreport ofUS$155,333,333 for1997, US$155,333,333 for1998 andUS$
155,333,333 for1999;
5. ThattheExecutive Committee should takeaction toensure asfaraspossible thatthewhole ofthebudget
for1997-1999 iscommitted bytheendof1999, andthatParties notoperating under Article 5should
accordingly make timely payments;
6. ThattheExecutiveCommitteeshould,overthenextthreeyears,worktowardthegoalofreducingagency
support costs from theircurrent level of13percenttoanaverage ofbelow 10percenttomake more
funds available forother activities. TheExecutive Committee should report totheParties annually on
their progress, andtheParties mayadjust thegoalaccordingly;
7. Toagree thatadjustments totheUnited Nations scale ofassessment should notaffect therates of
contributions ofindividual Parties during areplenishment period;
8. Toagree thatthecontributions ofParties notoperating under Article 5which ratify theLondon
Amendment during areplenishment cycle should becalculated onapro-rata basis forthebalance of
3Seedoc.UNEP/Ozl.Pro.8/12 (19December 1996). Seealsodoc.WT/CTE/W/19 (23January 1996) which reports ontheSeventh
Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol onSusbtances thatDeplete theOzone Layer.
4SeealsoDecision VIII/5 on"Actions toimprove thefunctioning oftheFinancial Mechanism" andDecision VIII/6 "Contributions
totheMultilateral Fund".WT/CTE/W/44
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thereplenishment cycle, starting withthedateonwhich theLondon Amendment entered intoforce for
it.Contributions ofsuchcountries should beconsidered asadditional resources during thereplenishment
cycle; suchParties should beformally added totheListofcontributors andtaken intoaccount inthe
distribution ofassessments during thenextreplenishment.
DECISION VIII/7: MEASURES TAKEN TOIMPROVE THE FINANCIAL MECHANISM AND TECHNOLOGY
TRANSFER .
1. Tonotewithappreciation themeasures taken bytheExecutive Committee toimprove theFinancial
Mechanism;
2. Torequest theExecutive Committee tocontinue withfurther actions toimplement decision VII/2 to
improve theFinancial Mechanism andreport totheMeetings ofParties annually,
3. Tonotethestatus ofpreparation ofthereport ontransfer oftechnology required byAction 21ofdecision
VII/2;
4. TosetupanInformal Group consisting offourrepresentatives ofParties notoperating under Article
5(1)(Australia,Italy,Netherlands,UnitedStatesofAmerica)andfourrepresentativesofPartiesoperating
under Article 5(1)(China, Colombia, Ghana, India) toassist theExecutive Committee inidentifying
what steps canpractically betaken toeliminate potential impediments tothetransfer ofozone-friendly
technologies toParties operating under Article 5under fairandmost favourable conditions;
5. TheGroup maymeet asnecessary andshall submit itsreports, ifany,totheExecutive Committee.
6. Toreview thismatter atitsNinth Meeting.
DECISION VIII/15: CONTROL OFTRADE INMETHYL BROMIDE WITH NON-PARTIES5
Toconsider theissue ofcontrol oftrade inmethyl bromide withnon-Parties attheNinth Meeting oftheParties
totheMontreal Protocol in1997.
DECISION VIII/18: LISTOFPRODUCTS CONTAINING CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES INGROUP IIOFANNEX
C(HYDROBROMOFLUOROCARBONS )6
1. Tonotetheconclusion oftheTechnology andEconomic Assessment Panel ontheelaboration ofalist
ofproducts containing controlled substances inGroup IIofAnnex CoftheProtocol;
2. Todecide nottoelaborate thelistsreferred toinArticle 4,paragraphs 3terand4teroftheMontreal
Protocol.
5SeealsoDecision VIII/16 "Critical Agricultural Uses ofMethyl Bromide".
6Inparagraphs 3terand4terofArticle 4oftheMontreal Protocol ("Control ofTrade withnon-Parties"), Parties hadagreed to
elaborate inanannex alistofproducts containing controlled substances inGroup IIofAnnex CoftheProtocol, aswellas,inanother annex,
alistofproducts, produced with, butnotcontaining controlled substances inGroup IIofAnnex CoftheProtocol. Theannexes wereto
bedeveloped withaviewtobanning orrestricting theimport ofthose products fromStates notParty totheProtocol. However, theTechnology
andEconomic Assessment Panel (TEAP) reported doubts regarding thefeasibility ofelaborating suchlistsforproducts containing HBFCs
(Seethereport oftheTechnology andEconomic Assessment Panel, UNEP, June1996, PartV).WT/CTE/W/44
Page23
DECISION VIII/26: EXPORTS OFOZONE -DEPLETING SUBSTANCES AND PRODUCTS CONTAINING OZONE -
DEPLETING SUBSTANCES7
1. Tonotethatthelinksamongexportsofozone-depletingsubstancesandproductscontainingsuchsubstances
under theMontreal Protocol, illegal trade, andcompliance withtheMontreal Protocol were discussed
attheSeventh Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol; andalsotonotethatsome aspects of
thisissue were briefly discussed again attheEighth Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol
inthecontext ofdocument UNEP/OzL.Pro.8/CRP.1;
2. Tonotethatthedebate attheSeventh Meeting oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol andabrief
discussionattheEightMeetingofthePartiestotheMontrealProtocolhavedemonstratedtheimportance,
complexity andsensitivity ofthisissue; andalsotonotethat,inaddition, thedebate andbriefdiscussion
revealed important aspects thatrequire further deliberation including, interalia,theneedforcontrolling
exports ofODS from Parties notoperating under Article 5found tobeinnon-compliance withtheir
obligations under theProtocol toParties operating under Article 5.
3. Torecognize thatthisissue ultimately hasadirect impact ontheprogress towards theelimination of
ozone-depleting substances andtheprotection oftheozone layer;
4. Todecide toinclude thisissue ontheagenda oftheFifteenth Meeting oftheOpen-ended Working Group
oftheParties totheMontreal Protocol.
5. Toencourage interested Parties tosubmit theirviews totheSecretariat byMarch 1997, forcompilation
andforwarding toParties prior totheFifteenth Meeting oftheOpen-ended Working Group oftheParties
totheMontreal Protocol.
7SeealsoDecision VIII/20 on"Illegal Imports andExports ofControlled Substances".