{"id":30062,"date":"2026-09-18T17:38:39","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T12:08:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=30062"},"modified":"2026-09-18T17:38:39","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T12:08:39","slug":"uncbd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/uncbd\/","title":{"rendered":"UNCBD, Background, Structure, Articles, Reports, Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, abbreviated as UNCBD, is the principal global framework for conserving biodiversity and promoting its sustainable and equitable use. Adopted at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992, the UNCBD has three core objectives: conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The UNCBD has evolved through the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols, Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India became a Party to UNCBD in 1994 and implemented its commitments through the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), and the NBSAP 2024\u201330. However, inadequate finance and implementation gaps continue to hinder global biodiversity goals.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Background<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the principal global legal framework for <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biodiversity\/\" target=\"_blank\">biodiversity<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> conservation. It seeks to reconcile ecological conservation with sustainable resource use and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Origin:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The CBD was initiated under the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/the-united-nations-un\/\" target=\"_blank\">United Nations<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Environment Programme in 1988 and was adopted at the Nairobi Conference on 22 May 1992 before being opened for signature at the Rio Earth Summit on 5 June 1992.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Convention entered into force on 29 December 1993, following the required 30th ratification, and its first COP was held in Nassau, Bahamas, in 1994.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The CBD has 196 Parties, making it near-universal, although the United States has signed but not ratified the Convention.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Three Core Objectives:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Article 1 establishes three objectives - conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Institutional Framework:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP is the supreme decision-making body, while the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) provides scientific and technical advice and the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI) reviews and supports implementation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Secretariat:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The UNCBD Secretariat is headquartered in Montreal, Canada, and coordinates the Convention\u2019s implementation and intergovernmental processes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ecosystem-based Conservation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The UNCBD promotes an ecosystem approach and thematic programmes covering forests, agriculture, wetlands\/inland waters, mountains, islands, and marine and coastal ecosystems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Global Biodiversity Framework:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011\u20132020) provided the earlier global biodiversity framework, while the Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (2022) now guides global action on biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Access and Benefit-sharing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The UNCBD promotes fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources, including emerging issues concerning Digital Sequence Information (DSI).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Indigenous and Local Communities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Article 8(j) recognises the importance of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous peoples and local communities for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Key Conservation Priorities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Convention promotes protected areas, ecosystem restoration, sustainable wildlife management, and preventing invasive alien species as key tools for addressing biodiversity loss.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>International Biodiversity Day:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 22 May is observed as the International Day for Biological Diversity, commemorating the adoption of the UNCBD.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Structure\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The structure of the UNCBD can be shown in the diagram below<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-30064 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/18135507\/UNCBD-STRUCTURE-2026.png\" alt=\"UNCBD\" width=\"815\" height=\"543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/18135507\/UNCBD-STRUCTURE-2026.png 1536w, https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/18135507\/UNCBD-STRUCTURE-2026-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/18135507\/UNCBD-STRUCTURE-2026-840x560.png 840w, https:\/\/vajiramias.sgp1.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/wp\/upsc-exam\/2026\/09\/18135507\/UNCBD-STRUCTURE-2026-410x273.png 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Articles<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key articles of the Convention on Biological Diversity are listed below.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"width: 93.7864%\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 8.51703%\"><b>Article<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 22.0054%\"><b>Provision<\/b><\/td>\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 62.3861%\"><b>Key Points<\/b><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 1<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Objectives<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conservation of biodiversity; sustainable use; fair and equitable benefit-sharing from genetic resources.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 2<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Use of Terms<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Defines key terms such as biological diversity, biological resources, biotechnology and genetic resources.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 3<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Principle<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">States\u2019 sovereign right to exploit their own resources, subject to environmental responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 6<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">General Measures for Conservation &amp; Sustainable Use<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Requires Parties to develop NBSAPs and integrate biodiversity into sectoral policies.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 7<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identification &amp; Monitoring<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Identification of biodiversity components, processes affecting them and monitoring of threats.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 8<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In-situ Conservation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishment of protected areas; ecosystem restoration; control of invasive alien species; protection of traditional knowledge.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 9<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ex-situ Conservation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conservation outside natural habitats through facilities such as zoos, botanical gardens and gene banks.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 10<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sustainable Use<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes sustainable use of biodiversity and integration of conservation into decision-making.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 11<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Incentive Measures<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Encourages economically and socially sound incentives for biodiversity conservation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 12<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Research &amp; Training<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes research, training and capacity-building for biodiversity conservation.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 13<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Public Education &amp; Awareness<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes biodiversity education, awareness and information dissemination.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 14<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Impact Assessment<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Requires Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for projects likely to significantly affect biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 15<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Access to Genetic Resources<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Recognises national sovereignty over genetic resources and requires access based on prior informed consent (PIC) and mutually agreed terms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 16<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Technology Transfer<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes access to and transfer of technologies relevant to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 17<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Exchange of Information<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes exchange of scientific, technical and socio-economic information.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 18<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Technical &amp; Scientific Cooperation<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Promotes international cooperation and institutional strengthening.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 19<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Biotechnology &amp; Benefit-sharing<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Covers biotechnology research, access to results\/benefits, participation of developing countries and notification\/information regarding living modified organisms.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 20<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Financial Resources<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Developed-country Parties are expected to provide new and additional financial resources to developing countries.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 21<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Financial Mechanism<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishes a financial mechanism for developing countries; it operates under COP authority or guidance. GEF operates the mechanism pursuant to COP decisions.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 22<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Relationship with Other Conventions<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CBD provisions do not affect rights\/obligations under other international agreements except where exercising them would cause serious damage or threat to biodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 23<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conference of the Parties (COP)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishes the COP as the supreme decision-making body of the CBD.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 25<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">SBSTTA<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Establishes the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 26<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">National Reports<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Parties must submit periodic reports on measures taken to implement the Convention and their effectiveness.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 27<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Settlement of Disputes<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Provides mechanisms for settling disputes between Parties.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr>\r\n<td style=\"width: 8.51703%\">\r\n<p><b>Article 28<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 22.0054%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Protocols<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 62.3861%\">\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">COP may adopt protocols under the CBD, providing the legal basis for instruments such as the Cartagena and Nagoya Protocols.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD COPs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the supreme decision-making body of the UNCBD. Over successive COPs, the global biodiversity regime has evolved from establishing thematic programmes and protocols to adopting time-bound global biodiversity targets and implementation frameworks.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP1 (1994, Nassau, Bahamas):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The first substantive COP established the initial work programme and institutional framework for implementing the CBD.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP2 (1995, Jakarta, Indonesia):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Jakarta Mandate was adopted to strengthen conservation and sustainable use of marine and coastal biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP3 (1996, Buenos Aires, Argentina):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP advanced the Programme of Work on Agricultural Biodiversity, focusing on biodiversity within agricultural systems.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP4 (1998, Bratislava, Slovakia):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP further developed the Convention\u2019s implementation and cross-cutting work programmes.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>First Extraordinary COP (2000, Montreal\/Cartagena):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety was adopted, establishing rules for the safe handling and transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP5 (2000, Nairobi, Kenya):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Ecosystem Approach was endorsed as a key framework for integrated biodiversity management.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP6 (2002, The Hague, Netherlands):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP adopted the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation and established the 2010 Biodiversity Target.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP7 (2004, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Programme of Work on Protected Areas was adopted to strengthen the establishment and effective management of protected areas.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP8 (2006, Curitiba, Brazil):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP advanced work on biodiversity and sustainable development, including issues relating to genetically modified organisms and agricultural biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP9 (2008, Bonn, Germany):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP strengthened work on forest biodiversity, agricultural biodiversity and the Strategic Plan, while advancing negotiations on access and benefit-sharing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP10 (2010, Nagoya, Japan):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing was adopted, along with the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011\u20132020 and 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP11 (2012, Hyderabad, India):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India hosted the COP, which advanced resource mobilisation for biodiversity, including the Hyderabad Pledge, under which India announced additional financial support for biodiversity conservation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP12 (2014, Pyeongchang, South Korea):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP conducted a mid-term review of the Strategic Plan 2011\u20132020 and assessed progress towards the Aichi Biodiversity Targets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP13 (2016, Canc\u00fan, Mexico):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP emphasised <\/span><b>mainstreaming biodiversity<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> into agriculture, forestry, fisheries and tourism policies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP14 (2018, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP initiated important groundwork for the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and emphasised investment in biodiversity for people and the planet.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP15 (2021\u201322, Kunming, China and Montreal, Canada):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) was adopted, establishing 4 long-term goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, including the <\/span><b>30\u00d730 target under Target 3.<\/b><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP16 (2024\u201325, Cali, Colombia and Rome, Italy):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The COP advanced implementation of the KMGBF, strengthened National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and operationalised the multilateral mechanism for benefit-sharing from Digital Sequence Information (DSI), including the Cali Fund; the resumed session in Rome also advanced the biodiversity finance framework.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>COP17 (2026, Yerevan, Armenia):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The upcoming COP is scheduled for 19\u201330 October 2026 and is expected to undertake the first global review of collective progress in implementing the Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD and India\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">India is a <\/span><b>megadiverse country<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and a committed Party to the CBD, balancing biodiversity conservation with sustainable development and equitable benefit-sharing. Its approach combines <\/span><b>legislation, institutional mechanisms, national targets and international cooperation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ratification:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India ratified the <\/span><b>Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> in <\/span><b>1994<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and implemented its commitments through the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/biological-diversity-act-2002\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Biological Diversity Act 2002<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, providing the legal framework for conservation, sustainable use and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The amendment introduced a more registration-based compliance framework and simplified provisions for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy) practitioners and codified traditional knowledge, while facilitating India's bioeconomy.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Three-tier Institutional Framework:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Biological Diversity Act 2002 establishes the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level, State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level, and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level, forming India's three-tier biodiversity governance structure.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Role of National Biodiversity Authority (NBA):<\/b> NBA regulates access to biological resources, oversees Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) and deals with approvals\/registrations related to Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) involving biological resources and associated <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/traditional-knowledge\/\" target=\"_blank\">traditional knowledge<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Protocols under the CBD:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India is a Party to the\u00a0<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2003),<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing (2012) and<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nagoya\u2013Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress (2014).<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>India's Global Role:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India hosted UNCBD COP11 in Hyderabad in 2012, where it announced the Hyderabad Pledge, reflecting its commitment to biodiversity conservation and resource mobilisation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Updated NBSAP &amp; National Biodiversity Targets:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India's National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024\u201330, aligned with the Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), follows a \u201cWhole-of-Government\u201d and \u201cWhole-of-Society\u201d approach with 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs).<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Seventh National Report to the CBD (NR-7), 2026:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India submitted its Seventh National Report to the CBD in February 2026, assessing progress through 142 national indicators mapped against 23 NBTs; the report states that all 23 targets are \u201con track to achieve\".<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Article 6 &amp; National Reporting:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Article 6 requires Parties to formulate NBSAPs, while Article 26 requires periodic national reports on CBD implementation; India's NR-7 provides an assessment of its progress towards global biodiversity commitments.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Reports\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The CBD relies on global assessments, national reports and biodiversity action plans to monitor progress and guide policy. These reports provide evidence on biodiversity trends and help assess implementation of global biodiversity commitments.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The CBD Secretariat\u2019s flagship assessment, GBO periodically evaluates global biodiversity status, trends and progress in implementing the Convention; major editions were released in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2015 and 2020.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Global Biodiversity Outlook - 5 (2020):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The report found that none of the 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets were fully achieved, although six targets showed partial progress, highlighting the need for stronger post-2020 action.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Key Finding:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Calls for a shift away from \u201cbusiness as usual\u201d to address biodiversity loss.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Eight Transitions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Proposes 8 transformative transitions across human activities to recognise biodiversity\u2019s value, restore ecosystems and reduce harmful impacts.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Stronger National Action:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Urges countries to raise national ambitions in support of the Global Biodiversity Framework.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Resource Mobilisation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Emphasises mobilisation of adequate financial and other resources and strengthening the enabling environment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mainstreaming Biodiversity:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Calls for integrating biodiversity considerations into decision-making and policies across all economic sectors.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>National Reports:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Each CBD Party submits <\/span><b>National Reports<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> documenting progress in implementing the Convention and its targets; India uses these reports to track its <\/span><b>domestic biodiversity commitments and actions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Under Article 6 of the CBD, Parties are required to develop national strategies or plans for biodiversity conservation and integrate biodiversity considerations into relevant sectoral and cross-sectoral policies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>IPBES Global Assessment (2019):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) assessed global biodiversity and ecosystem services and estimated that around one million species are threatened with extinction, providing important scientific inputs to subsequent global biodiversity negotiations.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) operates as an independent body that provides scientific evidence to support the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>KMGBF Global Review:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The first global review of collective progress under the Kunming\u2013Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) is being prepared ahead of COP17, with assessments indicating that global implementation remains largely off-track, underscoring the need for accelerated action towards the 2030 targets.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Challenges\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Despite the CBD\u2019s extensive institutional framework, biodiversity conservation continues to face <\/span><b>financial, implementation, equity and governance challenges<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. The effectiveness of the KMGBF will depend on closing these gaps and ensuring meaningful participation of developing countries and local communities.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Chronic Finance Gap:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> KMGBF Target 19 seeks to mobilise at least $200 billion annually by 2030, including $30 billion per year from developed to developing countries, but current biodiversity finance remains inadequate compared with the estimated global requirement of $700 billion\u2013$1 trillion annually.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Repeated Target Failure:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The 20 Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011\u20132020) were not fully achieved, while the emerging assessment of KMGBF implementation indicates that the world remains largely off-track, raising concerns about repeated failure to meet global biodiversity commitments.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Weak National Alignment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Many countries have yet to fully align their NBSAPs with the KMGBF, while biodiversity considerations remain insufficiently mainstreamed into agriculture, <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/infrastructure\/\" target=\"_blank\">infrastructure<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, trade, finance and development planning.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>30\u00d730 Target Contention:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Target 3, which seeks to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland-water, coastal and marine areas by 2030, faces debates over what constitutes effective conservation, recognition of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) and the role of OECMs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Digital Sequence Information (DSI):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Benefit-sharing from the use of digital genetic-sequence information remains contentious despite the establishment of the Cali Fund and multilateral mechanism at COP16, particularly regarding financing, participation and compliance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>North\u2013South Equity Concerns:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Developing countries continue to demand greater financial and technological support, while disagreements persist over the distribution of costs and benefits arising from biodiversity and genetic-resource utilisation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>IPLC Rights and Participation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Although the KMGBF formally recognises the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, inadequate financing, institutional barriers and limited decision-making power can restrict their meaningful participation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fragmented Global Governance:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Biodiversity governance remains fragmented due to overlaps and coordination challenges involving the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/unfccc\/\" target=\"_blank\">UNFCCC<\/a><\/strong>, UNCCD, IPBES and the BBNJ Agreement, particularly in areas such as climate\u2013biodiversity linkages and ocean conservation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Weak Compliance and Monitoring:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The CBD has historically relied more on reporting, review and cooperation than binding enforcement, while the KMGBF\u2019s enhanced monitoring and review framework is still being operationalised.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>India-specific Challenges:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India faces the challenge of balancing bioeconomy growth and easier access to biological resources with conservation and equitable Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS), particularly given capacity and implementation gaps at the State Biodiversity Boards and Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) levels.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD Way Forward\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Effective implementation of the CBD and KMGBF requires moving from target-setting to measurable, adequately financed and inclusive action. The focus should be on stronger national implementation, equitable financing, community participation and robust monitoring.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Bridge the Finance Gap:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Scale up the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) and diversify biodiversity finance through blended finance and biodiversity credits, while implementing Target 18 to reform or eliminate harmful incentives and subsidies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen National Alignment:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Countries should align their NBSAPs with the KMGBF, supported by stronger monitoring, peer review and technical assistance through CBD-supported Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centres.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ensure Effective 30\u00d730 Implementation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Target 3 should be implemented through clear, science-based criteria for OECMs, while ensuring genuine co-governance with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities rather than exclusionary conservation models.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Operationalise DSI Benefit-sharing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Cali Fund and Multilateral Mechanism should be fully operationalised with predictable and adequate contributions from beneficiary industries, particularly pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and agriculture.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Improve Global Coordination:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Greater coordination among the CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, BBNJ Agreement and IPBES should reduce policy fragmentation and avoid duplication of reporting and implementation requirements.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen Compliance and Review:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Global Review under the KMGBF should evolve into a regular stocktake-and-ratchet mechanism, enabling countries to assess progress, identify gaps and progressively strengthen their commitments.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mainstream IPLC Participation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Biodiversity finance should include direct and flexible funding for Indigenous-led conservation, while Indigenous and local knowledge systems should be formally integrated into national biodiversity planning and monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Strengthen India\u2019s Implementation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India should enhance the capacity of State Biodiversity Boards and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) for effective ABS implementation and ensure that ease-of-doing-business reforms do not dilute community benefit-sharing.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Translate Targets into State Action:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India should connect its National Biodiversity Targets with concrete, adequately funded state and local biodiversity action plans to ensure implementation at the grassroots level.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Maintain Political Momentum:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Regular high-level political engagement and ministerial dialogue should keep biodiversity on the global agenda and prevent it from being overshadowed by climate, economic and geopolitical priorities.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNCBD UPSC PYQs\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Consider the following statements <\/span><b>(UPSC Prelims 2023).<\/b><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> In India, the Biodiversity Management Committees are key to the realisation of the objectives of the Nagoya Protocol.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The Biodiversity Management Committees have important functions in determining access and benefit sharing, including the power to levy collection fees on the access of biological resources within its jurisdiction.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the following statements given above is\/are correct?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) 2 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) Both 1 and 2<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) Neither 1 nor 2<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans: (c) <\/b><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The UNCBD is the primary global framework for conserving biodiversity and ensuring its sustainable, equitable use. Read about its background, structure, COPs, articles, reports and India&#8217;s status.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":30070,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38,33],"tags":[40,2034,653],"class_list":["post-30062","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-upsc-notes","category-upsc-environment-ecology-notes","tag-quest","tag-uncbd","tag-upsc-environment-ecology-notes"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30062","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30062"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30062\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30075,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30062\/revisions\/30075"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30062"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30062"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30062"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}