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The CBD is one of two Conventions signed at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held at Rio in 1992 . It is the result of a consensus that the Earth’s biological diversity could be saved only through international co-operation and funding based on the introduction of a legally binding instrument. It is the first global agreement to cover all aspects of biological diversity: genetic resources, species, and ecosystems.

Parties
Parties to the Convention are the governments that have ratified the Convention. As of April 2002, 182 countries including the European Community have ratified the Convention with the notable exception of the United States, Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, among others.

COP
The Conference of the Parties (COP) is the key decision-making body responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Convention. Parties are required to submit reports on measures taken for the implementation of the Convention and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the Convention. The COP meets every two years to review progress in the implementation of the Convention and to decide on work programmes to achieve its objectives. At COP, Parties are represented by officials from the environment ministry, forest ministry, and foreign affairs ministry.

SBSTTA
The Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) provides the COP with advice relating to the implementation of the Convention, including the status of biological diversity and the effectiveness of measures taken to give effect to the Convention. It has also a major role in identifying technologies for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity suitable to transfer to developing countries. All Parties are free to nominate individuals and government officials with experience in relevant fields as SBSTTA delegates.

GEF
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the financing mechanism for the Convention. It supports developing countries to achieve the Convention’s objectives. GEF meets, amongst other costs, the costs of developing countries to prepare and implement National Biodiversity Strategies and Biodiversity Action Plans.

Secretariat
The CBD has also created a Secretariat established under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to assist the Conference of the Parties in its work and to perform day-to-day administrative functions. It is located in Montreal, Canada. Its main functions are to arrange and service meetings of COP and SBSTTA, assist in the implementation of the programme of work and co-ordinate activities among Parties and other international organisations.