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Secretariat
02.11.2024 Statement by the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, Astrid Schomaker, at the closing session of the high-level segment of ...
31.10.2024 COP 16 side event: Forest Ecosystem Restoration Initiative (FERI): Taking forward a decade of ecosystem recovery
21.11.2024 // 2024-109 Invitation to participate in a training needs assessment on conservation leadership
15.11.2024 // 2024-108 Information webinars on the expression of interest process for the Nature4Health initiative
03.03.2023 Linked Climate Variability Between Distant Regions Highlights Interconnectivity of Global Climate Change
04.08.2022 Overconsumption by the rich must be tackled, says acting UN biodiversity chief
// CP-RMOM-2024-01 Training course for Caribbean States on risk assessments of living modified organisms
Workshop on the Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House
// COP-16 Decision 16/23 - Liability and redress (Article 14, paragraph 2)
// CP-MOP-11 Decision CP-11/3 - Operation and activities of the Biosafety Clearing-House (advance unedited)

Updates

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Astrid Headshot 4

Astrid Schomaker | Executive Secretary, CBD Secretariat
The United Nations Secretary-General has designated Astrid Schomaker of Germany as Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ms. Schomaker officially took up her appointment as of 1 July 2024. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Schomaker has work on a variety of issues ranging from bilateral and multilateral relations to chemicals, oceans, and the water industry. Most recently, as Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism with the European Commission in Brussels, she promoted a global transition to resource efficient, low emission, nature-positive circular economies.
Astrid Headshot 4
Astrid Schomaker | Executive Secretary, CBD Secretariat
The United Nations Secretary-General has designated Astrid Schomaker of Germany as Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ms. Schomaker officially took up her appointment as of 1 July 2024. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Schomaker has work on a variety of issues ranging from bilateral and multilateral relations to chemicals, oceans, and the water industry. Most recently, as Director for Green Diplomacy and Multilateralism with the European Commission in Brussels, she promoted a global transition to resource efficient, low emission, nature-positive circular economies.

Programmes

Thematic

The Conference of the Parties (COP) has established seven thematic programmes of work (listed below) which correspond to some of the major biomes on the planet. Each programme establishes a vision for, and basic principles to guide future work. They also set out key issues for consideration, identify potential outputs, and suggest a timetable and means for achieving these. Implementation of the work programmes depends on contributions from Parties, the Secretariat, relevant intergovernmental and other organizations. Periodically, the COP and the SBSTTA review the state of implementation of the work programmes.

Agricultural Biodiversity Dry and Sub-humid Land Biodiversity Forest Biodiversity Inland Waters Biodiversity Island Biodiversity Marine and Coastal Biodiversity Mountain Biodiversity

Cross-Cutting

The COP has also initiated work on key matters of relevance to all thematic areas. These cross-cutting issues correspond to the issues addressed in the Convention's substantive provisions in Articles 6-20, and provide bridges and links between the thematic programmes. Some cross cutting initiatives directly support work under thematic programmes, for example, the work on indicators provides information on the status and trends of biodiversity for all biomes. Others develop discrete products quite separate from the thematic programmes.

Aichi Biodiversity Targets Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-sharing Biological and Cultural Diversity Biodiversity for Development Capacity-building Climate Change and Biodiversity Communication, Education and Public Awareness Digital sequence information on genetic resources Economics, Trade and Incentive Measures Ecosystem Approach Ecosystem Restoration Gender and Biodiversity Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Global Taxonomy Initiative Health & Biodiversity Impact Assessment Identification, Monitoring, Indicators and Assessments Invasive Alien Species Liability and Redress - Article 14.2 New & Emerging Issues Peace and Biodiversity Dialogue Initiative Protected Areas Sustainable Use of Biodiversity Sustainable Wildlife Management Technical and Scientific Cooperation Technology Transfer Tourism and Biodiversity Traditional Knowledge, Innovations and Practices - Article 8(j)

Newsletters

Clearing-House

Clearing-House Mechanism of the Convention on Biological Diversity

The Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) contributes to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity by promoting and facilitating scientific and technical cooperation, knowledge sharing and information exchange, and by establishing a fully operational network of Parties and partners.

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Biosafety Clearing-House

The Biosafety Clearing-House (BCH) is a mechanism set up by the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to facilitate the exchange of information on Living Modified Organisms (LMOs) and assist the Parties to better comply with their obligations under the Protocol.

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Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House

The Access and Benefit-Sharing Clearing-House (ABSCH) is a platform for exchanging information on ABSCH and a key tool for facilitating the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol.

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