Economic development is essential to meeting human needs and to eliminating the poverty that affects so many people around the world. A major challenge for the 21st century will be making the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity a compelling basis for development policies, business decisions and consumer desires.

The Convention has already accomplished a great deal on the road to sustainable development through its near universal membership, a comprehensive and science-driven mandate, international financial support for national projects, world-class scientific and technological advice, and the political involvement of Governments. It has brought together, for the first time, people with often very different interests -- Governments, the private sector, environmentalists, indigenous peoples and local communities and the concerned citizen. However, many challenges still lie ahead, such as:

• Meeting the increasing demand for biological resources caused by population growth and increased consumption.
• Increasing our capacity to document and understand biodiversity, its value and threats to it.
• Improving policies, laws, guidelines and fiscal measures for regulating the use of biodiversity.
• Promoting trade rules and practices that foster sustainable use of biodiversity.
• Securing adequate financial resources for conservation and sustainable use.
• Making better use of technology.
• Building political and popular support for the changes necessary to ensure long-term biodiversity conservation and sustainable use.

Although still in its infancy, the Convention on Biological Diversity is already making itself felt. The philosophy of sustainable development, the ecosystem approach and the emphasis on building partnerships are all helping to shape global action on biodiversity. The data and reports that Governments are gathering and sharing with each other are providing a sound basis for understanding the challenges and collaborating on the solutions.

Much, much more needs to be done. With human population expected to rise dramatically, particularly in developing countries, and the consumer revolution set for exponential expansion, species and ecosystems will face ever more serious threats. If everyone applies the concepts embodied in the Convention and make the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity a real priority, we can ensure a new and sustainable relationship between humanity and the natural world for generations to come.