Informing about biodiversity issues

Reporting on the status, distribution, management and utilization of the planet's biological wealth: at the genetic, species and ecosystems levels, including micro-organisms, species extinctions and rates of habitat loss; the benefits and values of biodiversity, wildlife utilization, domestication and the economic valuation of biological diversity; and the conservation and management of diversity at the national and international levels, including in situ and ex situ management, international conventions and institutional and financial support for biodiversity conservation.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities. Agenda 21 recommends regular collation, evaluation and exchange of information on the conservation of biological diversity and the sustainable use of biological resources.

The Convention on Biological Diversity requires Contracting Parties to facilitate the exchange of information, from all publicly available sources, relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, taking into account the special needs of developing countries. Such exchange of information should include exchange of results of technical, scientific and socio-economic research, as well as information on training and surveying programmes, specialized knowledge, indigenous and traditional knowledge as such and the transfer and use of relevant technologies. It should also include repatriation of information.

Article 13 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, entitled Public Education and Awareness, states: The Contracting Parties shall: (a) Promote and encourage understanding of the importance of, and the measures required for, the conservation of biological diversity, as well as its propagation through media, and the inclusion of these topics in educational programmes; and (b) Cooperate, as appropriate, with other States and international organizations in developing educational and public awareness programmes, with respect to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

The Centre Naturopa is, and has been for 32 years, the main organisation providing systematic information on nature and biodiversity in the countries of western, central and eastern Europe, thanks to its network of 40 National Agencies in member states.