About the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is the key international treaty dedicated to conserving the planet’s biological diversity, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources, and promoting the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Entering into force in 1993, the Convention reflects a global recognition that healthy ecosystems are foundational to human well-being, security, and development. With 196 Parties, the Convention enjoys near-universal membership and has inspired two legally binding protocols—the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing. The CBD Secretariat, headquartered in Montreal, Canada, supports Parties in advancing biodiversity policy through international cooperation, national implementation, and scientific dialogue.
Biodiversity Matters for Peace
The loss of biodiversity – and of the ecosystem services it provides – amplifies existing risks and diminishing coping capacity in fragile contexts. In settings where governance is weak, fragility and biodiversity loss often intersect. Ms. Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, underscored during the 2024 International Human Rights Day that safeguarding biodiversity is essential not only for environmental sustainability but also for fostering peace and global security.
The Peace and Biodiversity Dialogue Initiative (PBDI) was launched by the Republic of Korea, as President of the twelfth meeting of Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The PBDI aims to support Parties to the Convention on the implementation of Goal 1.3 of the Programme of Work on Protected Areas to “establish and strengthen regional networks, transboundary protected areas (TBPAs) and collaboration between neighbouring protected areas across national boundaries”. This has been sought as a potential solution to global concerns on conflict areas and to promote awareness on Demilitarized Zones ecology and Parks for Peace (Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea, 2016).
Through the PBDI, Parties to the CBD can share knowledge and best practices in transboundary cooperation. They may also wish to strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms or develop new ones with the facilitation of the SCBD and many partners with expertise in this regard. The PBDI is being developed to play a catalytic role, promote transboundary cooperation and parks for peace further.
Climate, Peace and Security at the annual Conference of the Parties
The CBD's mandate does not extend to decision-making on matters of peace and security. However, its processes can acknowledge how climate change and related challenges can contribute to instability and conflict. In recent years, Conferences of the Parties (COPs), shaped by the priorities of their presidencies, have opened space to explore the interlinkages between climate change, peace and security - including through high-level events, side discussions, and contributions from observer organisations:
- COP16 (Cali, October 2024): The Colombian Presidency adopted the theme "Peace with Nature". The conference emphasised that restoring harmony between human activities and the natural world is not only essential for halting biodiversity loss, but also for reducing resource conflicts, supporting stable livelihoods, and building resilient communities.
