Convention on Biological Diversity

CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
THE CONTRACTING PARTIES,
CONSCIOUS of the intrinsic value of biological diversity and of the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its components,
CONSCIOUS ALSO of the importance of biological diversity for evolution and for maintaining life sustaining systems of the biosphere,
AFFIRMING that the conservation of biological diversity is a common concern of humankind,
REAFFIRMING that States have sovereign rights over their own biological resources,
REAFFIRMING ALSO that States are responsible for conserving their biological diversity and for using their biological resources in a sustainable manner,
CONCERNED that biological diversity is being significantly reduced by certain human activities,
AWARE of the general lack of information and knowledge regarding biological diversity and of the urgent need to develop scientific, technical and institutional capacities to provide the basic understanding upon which to plan and implement appropriate measures,
NOTING that it is vital to anticipate, prevent and attack the causes of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity at source,
NOTING ALSO that where there is a threat of significant reduction or loss of biological diversity, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to avoid or minimize such a threat,
NOTING FURTHER that the fundamental requirement for the conservation of biological diversity is the in-situ conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats and the maintenance and recovery of viable populations of species in their natural surroundings,
NOTING FURTHER that ex-situ measures, preferably in the country of origin, also have an important role to play,
RECOGNIZING the close and traditional dependence of many indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles on biological resources, and