In accordance with Article 7 of the Convention Contracting Parties shall identify and monitor important components of biological diversity.

On these pages you will find an introduction to the subject as well as background on how the Conference of the Parties has addressed the issue.

Since the adoption of the Convention’s first Strategic Plan in 2002 much of the work related to monitoring, assessment and indicators has focused on the 2010 Biodiversity Target. The third edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook, which was launched in May 2010 and assessed progress towards the 2010 target, made use of this work. In addition Technical Series 53 (Biodiversity Indicators and the 2010 Biodiversity Target) summarized many of the conclusions and experiences gained from the Biodiversity Indicators Partnership which assessed progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Target.

With the adoption of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 in Nagoya Japan monitoring, assessment and indicators will be increasingly important, particularly as Parties set their own national targets in support of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets established as part of decision X/2.

Information on impact assessment is provided under a separate menu.