Background on CBD and Bhutan

Background on CBD and Bhutan

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was adopted on 22 May 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and it entered into force on 29 December 1993. The objectives of the Convention are to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Bhutan singed the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at Rio Earth Summit in 1992. Bhutan was committed to the CBD from the advent of the convention. Recognizing the growing need to address biodiversity conservation concerns through global cooperation and actions and the relevance of the convention to the country, the National Assembly subsequently ratified CBD in August 1995. The Royal Government of Bhutan became Party to the Convention from 25 August 1995. Currently, there are 194 countries who are Parties to the Convention. 

The Convention has adopted three Protocols: The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety in January 2000, Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, and Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing in October 2010. 

The Royal Government of Bhutan acceded to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety on 11 September 2003. The Protocol addresses the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms that may have adverse effects on biodiversity, taking into account of human health, with a specific focus on transboundary movements of living modified organisms. 

The Royal Government of Bhutan also ratified the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing on 30 September 2013. The objective of the Protocol is the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources.

The NECS is designated as the focal agency for the CBD under National Environmental Protection Act 2007.