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First published in Canada in 2001 by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity

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Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
World Trade Centre
393 Saint-Jacques Ouest, suite 300
Montreal, Quebec
H2Y 1N9 Canada
Tel: +1 514 288 2220
Fax: +1 514 288 6588
Email: [email protected]

The views in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity or contributors.

The designations of geographical entities in this publication and the presentation of the material do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, the United Nations Environment Programme, or of their collaborators concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

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This publication is printed on [100 per cent recycled, chlorine free paper]

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty whose objectives are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources. The Convention was opened for signature at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (Rio de Janeiro, June 1992) and entered into force on 29 December 1993. It has been ratified by 180 countries and one regional economic integration organization (1 August 2001). The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is provided by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is located in Montreal, Canada. The United Nations has declared 22 May as the International Day for Biological Diversity.