Overview
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity was established in 1993 following the entry into force of the Convention on Biological Diversity, a United Nations multilateral environmental agreement adopted at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. Based in Montreal, it serves as the permanent secretariat supporting Parties to the Convention. The organisation’s purpose is to facilitate international cooperation on biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of biological resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. Its work reflects an intergovernmental mandate grounded in global environmental governance rather than advocacy or commercial activity.
Mission and focus areas
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity focuses on supporting governments in implementing the Convention and its protocols, including the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing. Core thematic areas include ecosystems, species, genetic resources, traditional knowledge, and biodiversity mainstreaming across sectors. The Secretariat plays an important role in advancing global biodiversity frameworks, including the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. While not a financial institution, its work increasingly intersects with sustainable finance, ESG integration, and nature-related risk, particularly through biodiversity targets, national reporting, and alignment with climate and development agendas.
Structure and governance
The organisation operates under the authority of the Conference of the Parties (COP), which provides strategic direction and adopts decisions guiding its work programme. It is led by an Executive Secretary appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General. Internally, the Secretariat is organised into programme and support units covering scientific, technical, legal, and administrative functions. It collaborates closely with other UN bodies, multilateral organisations, scientific panels, and national focal points designated by Parties.
Programs and offerings
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity delivers a wide range of policy-relevant outputs, including official reports, technical guidance, indicators, and national reporting frameworks. It organises and services COP meetings and subsidiary bodies, providing documentation and procedural support. The Secretariat also maintains global information platforms, knowledge resources, and clearing-house mechanisms that support data sharing, capacity building, and implementation. These resources are widely used by policymakers, researchers, and sustainability practitioners working on nature-related policy and risk considerations.
